For those who fondly remember the era of phones with physical keyboards—the BlackBerry, Palm Treo, T-Mobile Sidekick, and the like—there’s encouraging news: devices featuring tactile, clicky keyboards are making a comeback. While not a full return to the past, a growing number of companies are embracing physical keyboards, either to evoke nostalgia or to reimagine how keyboards can integrate with today’s smartphones. This trend has been highlighted at recent tech events such as CES 2026 and is expected to be a talking point at Mobile World Congress later this year.
### Why Are Phones with Physical Keyboards Making a Return?
The resurgence of physical keyboards on phones can be attributed to several factors. Chief among them is the way smartphones have evolved into primary personal computers for many users. People increasingly use their phones not just for quick texts or calls but for writing long emails, editing documents, and managing complex workflows. While touchscreen keyboards have improved significantly, they still don’t offer the tactile feedback that some users prefer. Physical keyboards provide a satisfying click and help reduce errors caused by autocorrect or mistaps, which can be frustrating when typing quickly.
Another reason driving interest in keyboard phones is the desire for variety and differentiation in a market saturated with touchscreen slabs that look and feel very similar. Just as flip phones and foldable devices have found renewed popularity by breaking the mold, phones with physical keyboards offer a distinct user experience. Additionally, these devices appeal not only to older users who have nostalgia for the devices of their youth but also to younger tech enthusiasts who are fascinated by retro and vintage technology.
### Challenges in Finding New Keyboard Phones
Despite this renewed interest, acquiring a brand-new BlackBerry or a similar device directly from the original manufacturers is no longer an option. BlackBerry, which was once synonymous with physical keyboard smartphones, ceased hardware production in 2020 and discontinued key software services by 2022. This has left a gap in the market, with existing devices aging and becoming less functional over time.
While it’s possible to find older BlackBerry models on secondary markets—such as the TCL-made KeyOne or Key2—these devices run outdated versions of Android and lack the capabilities of modern smartphones. For example, attempts to revive a BlackBerry Classic from 2015 reveal that while it can still run some modern apps, installing them requires patience and technical know-how.
### Zinwa: Breathing New Life into BlackBerry Classics
One notable company tackling this gap is Zinwa. The firm acquires old BlackBerry hardware and retrofits it with updated internal components and new software, essentially creating a modernized BlackBerry Classic experience. Their product, the Zinwa Q25, is a revamped BlackBerry Classic running Android with refreshed internals. Customers can purchase a fully assembled device for around $400 or opt for a $300 conversion kit to upgrade their own BlackBerry.
### Keyboard Accessories for Modern Smartphones: The Clicks Case and Power Keyboard
For those not ready to commit to a dedicated keyboard phone, a simpler solution is to add a physical keyboard to an existing smartphone. Enter the Clicks keyboard case, which debuted at CES 2024. This case fits around certain modern phones—currently compatible with iPhone 14 and newer, Motorola Razr 2024 and newer, and Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro—and adds a physical QWERTY keyboard.
In hands-on reviews, the Clicks case was praised for its responsiveness, the extra screen space it affords by moving typing off the touchscreen, and the inclusion of preprogrammed shortcuts. The keys provide tactile feedback, a feature missing from virtual keyboards. However, some users might find the keyboard somewhat cramped, and it remains to be seen if it is significantly more comfortable than the touchscreen keyboard for extended typing. The Clicks case starts at $139.
Expanding on this concept, Clicks is also developing the Power Keyboard, a more flexible keyboard accessory that connects magnetically via MagSafe or Qi2. This device can accommodate phones of different sizes thanks to a slider mechanism and can also pair via Bluetooth with tablets, smart TVs, or other devices. Priced at $79 for preorder, the Power Keyboard offers a versatile option for those seeking physical keyboard input without buying a new phone.
### The Clicks Communicator: A New Keyboard Phone for 2026
Clicks has also announced the Clicks Communicator, a fully-fledged Android smartphone designed around a physical keyboard. Created by a former BlackBerry designer