Android Phones to Get Physical Keyboard Option

Although the BlackBerry is no longer in use, one of its greatest concepts—a small, thumb-friendly phone keyboard—lives on in the Clicks keyboard cover, which will soon be accessible for a number of Android smartphones.

Clicks is introducing to Android its physical keyboard case in the style of the BlackBerry. According to a press statement from the firm, more than 100,000 Clicks keyboard covers have been sold worldwide. However, from its January 2024 introduction, the cases have only been compatible with the iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models. The cases will be compatible with a new Android version of the Clicks Keyboard mobile software, which will enable customization of the keyboard’s functionality, including how the Clicks, caps lock, and return buttons operate.  The business announced the release of three new Android-focused devices on Tuesday, including Clicks keyboards for the Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Razr+, and Google Pixel. They will be available starting in April for a number of Motorola, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

All of the Android Clicks keyboard covers are available for preorder on the company’s website starting today, though device availability varies. Expected to ship at the end of April, the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro (not the XL) will retail for $99 until March 21st, after which they will go up to $139. Black and surge, which is referred to as a “high-vis yellow-green,” are available colour choices.

To guarantee a price of $99, the Motorola Razr Plus (2024) and Razr (2024) versions of the Clicks cover, which come in black or electric blue, may be preordered for $49 each. Preorders will remain at $49 after March 21st, but the case, which is anticipated to arrive in late May, will cost $139. The same is true for the Samsung Galaxy S25 cover, which will come in red and black and isn’t anticipated to debut until June.

The case first attracted notice because of its vintage feel, which evoked some fondness for the BlackBerry period, when phone keyboards truly clicked. After launching their iPhone covers in 2024, Clicks sold over 100,000 of them in over 100 countries.

However, because the current smartphone isn’t styled like Blackberry devices, which were frequently short, broad, and squat, using the iPhone cover itself can be uncomfortable. When typing, users may feel as though they are fighting gravity due to the combined weight of the iPhone and cover, which can cause their hands to feel unsteady.

Even Clicks acknowledges that it may take some time to get used to its keyboard and provides instructions on how to hold your phone correctly. However, at least some people who practice the new method on their own have come to enjoy it.

The Clicks case for Android maintains the same keyboard layout as the iPhone version, which has spherical keys that are tilted slightly to make typing more comfortable. (As opposed to emulating the BlackBerry’s more ergonomic key design, which didn’t work out well for the Ryan Seacrest-endorsed Typo case.)

The Android keyboards include the same features as the Clicks iPhone covers, including illuminated keys, USB-C charging (with wireless charging for Pixel smartphones), a microfiber inside, support for keyboard shortcuts, and metal dome switches for tactile feedback. The Android Clicks case also retains the ability to use keyboard shortcuts for opening apps or swiftly navigating Android, including a dedicated key for accessing Google Gemini, despite certain key labels being somewhat changed from the original iPhone version. It also has backlighting, and it gets all of its power from the USB-C connector on Android devices rather than a battery.

A companion app for storing user preferences is also available.

The Pixel Clicks covers will be shipped in late April and are available in Surge (bright yellow) and Onyx (black).

Razr+ cases will be shipped in late May and are available in Electric (bright blue) and Onyx. Although the cover for the Motorola Razr Plus and Razr (2024) is divided in half, the two handsets may still fold because of the shell’s same physical construction. In order to enhance MagSafe compatibility, Clicks is also including a “strong magnetic array” inside the two Pixel covers. This will make using wireless chargers with Google’s most recent devices a little simpler.

Galaxy S25 covers will be shipped in June and are available in Onyx and Pinot (red).