Clicks launches $99 keyboard for Qi-enabled phones

Clicks has launched a $99 Power Keyboard that slides out from the back of any phone that supports MagSafe or Qi 2.0 wireless charging. The device turns a smartphone into a BlackBerry‑style text‑heavy machine, letting users type on a physical QWERTY keyboard instead of a touch screen. It attaches magnetically, so it can be removed or folded back into the phone’s frame when not in use. The first units are available in the United States, with a limited release in the UK next month.

The keyboard fills a niche that has grown as people seek faster, more accurate typing. In 2023, 32 percent of U.S. smartphone users said they prefer physical keyboards for long texts, up from 22 percent in 2019. The rise of remote work, social media, and messaging apps has driven demand for devices that combine a full‑size screen with a tactile input method. Competitors like the BlackBerry Classic and the BlackBerry KEY2 were discontinued years ago, leaving a gap that Clicks hopes to fill with a lower‑cost alternative.

The Power Keyboard is 1.1 inches thick and weighs 3.5 ounces, adding roughly 0.5 pounds to the phone. It works with any Qi‑enabled charger, and its 12‑key layout supports full‑size letters, numbers, and punctuation. Clicks claims the keyboard can be used on phones as large as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra without significant balance issues. Early reviewers note that the added bulk can make larger phones awkward to hold, especially when the keyboard is in use. The device’s price point is a key selling point: it is $99, under half the price of most dedicated mechanical keyboards and far cheaper than the $1,200 price of the original BlackBerry Key2.

Clicks plans to roll out firmware updates that will let users remap keys and adjust key travel. The company also announced a partnership with a major carrier that will allow the keyboard to be bundled with a discounted data plan. If sales meet projections, Clicks may expand the product line to include a slimmer “Power Keyboard Mini” and a version with a built‑in battery. The move could revive interest in physical keyboards for smartphones, offering a middle ground between full‑size laptops and touch‑only devices.