Although it competed for years with the Android and iPhone ecosystems, BlackBerry exited the smartphone hardware business about a decade ago as buyers preferred touchscreen phones with reliable software and large app stores to handsets with built-in physical QWERTY keyboards.
9But in 2026, we see an unusual trend in today’s smartphone market: the resurgence of BlackBerry-style phone experiences. BlackBerry is not back to making its own smartphones. Instead, we offer two distinct ways to use QWERTY keyboards that buyers might enjoy. First up, we have the Clicks keyboard accessories that work with select iPhone and Android devices.
Next, various smartphone manufacturers are releasing Android phones with built-in BlackBerry-style keyboards. Clicks also offers one of these experiences through the Clicks Communicator smartphone, launched at CES 2026.
The reasons for the growing popularity of QWERTY keyboards among current smartphone users may vary. It’s not just about the nostalgia of former BlackBerry owners who haven’t been able to buy similar devices for years. Smartphone users who type a lot may prefer physical keyboards to virtual ones because physical keyboards are less prone to software keyboard bugs, such as the iPhone keyboard issues some users have experienced recently.
Phones equipped with QWERTY keyboards can also offer users access to unique devices in a world where all smartphones look the same. Whether it’s the latest iPhone 17 or the Galaxy S26, phones feature large screens with minimal bezels. A QWERTY keyboard adds personality to the device. Additionally, some users may appreciate more minimalist phones, which may provide an indirect benefit: reduced screen time, as consuming content on a smaller screen can be less engaging. Along the same lines, some users may enjoy owning a secondary phone for specific communication purposes, such as texting, email, and productivity.
The new BlackBerry-style smartphones
Smartphone buyers looking for handsets with BlackBerry-style keyboards have several options, all released in recent years. The minimal $449.99 phone features a black-and-white e-paper display and offers a basic Android 14 experience with Google Play support. Chinese vendor Zinwa Technologies has converted a BlackBerry Classic into the Zinwa Q25, an Android 13 phone that costs around $400.
Another option is the Chinese vendor Unihertz, which has made phones similar to the BlackBerry Passport in recent years. The Unihertz Titan 2 launched via Kickstarter in the summer of 2025, with over 7,000 backers pledging more than $2 million in purchases. Priced at $229 on Kickstarter, the Titan 2 offered users access to a 5G device with a 4.5-inch screen, Android 15, and 5G connectivity. Unihertz unveiled two Titan 2 successors at MWC 2026, the Titan 2 Elite and Titan 2 Elite Pro, which convinced nearly 9,000 backers to pledge more than $4 million on Kickstarter.
The phones are also available for pre-order from Unihertz for $490 and $580, respectively. The phones feature smaller 4.03-inch OLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, as well as 5G, eSIM, and microSD support. The Pro model has a high-end processor and doubles the storage (512 GB instead of 256 GB).
The $499 Clicks Communicator offers a similar package to the Titan 2 Elite Pro, including a 4.03-inch OLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor, and a full QWERTY keyboard that also supports touch input. The Clicks handset runs Android 16 and offers five years of software updates. Other features users might appreciate include Qi2 wireless charging, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a customizable LED light around a prompt key (side button).
QWERTY keyboard accessories
Buyers who do not want to purchase a BlackBerry-like device but want to add a QWERTY keyboard to their existing smartphone can choose from various QWERTY keyboard accessories available in the market. Clicks has created two models of keyboard accessories. In 2024, the company launched a QWERTY keyboard case, the Clicks Keyboard, available starting at $139 for select iPhone models. The downside of this accessory is that it makes the iPhone even bigger, because the keyboard extends below the screen. A year later, Clicks announced similar cases for Android phones, including the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models.
At CES 2026, Clicks launched the Clicks Power Keyboard, an accessory that connects to smartphones via MagSafe or Qi2.2, providing a BlackBerry-style sliding keyboard experience. The Power Keyboard has a 2,300 mAh battery that can wirelessly charge smartphones and supports iPhone and Android devices. Available for pre-order at $99, the Power Keyboard has been purchased by more than 50,000 people since January, according to the firm.
Finally, the Akko Metakey, launched in October 2025, offers iPhone users a keyboard experience similar to the Clicks Creator keyboard. The BlackBerry-style keyboard is integrated into an iPhone case, increasing the handset’s size. The accessory costs $49.99 and comes in different colors, but it is only compatible with the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
