The Clicks Keyboard for iPhone will both be a tremendous nostalgia journey that forces you to decelerate and assume, or it is going to be a finger lure of typing torment. Both means, it is a well-executed product.
I wish to get this out of the way in which on the prime — Clicks is superior. Nonetheless, it’s extra nostalgic than productive, and the expense cannot be ignored.
Sure, Clicks prices greater than many full-sized mechanical keyboards I’ve reviewed. However do not let that get in the way in which of appreciating simply how novel this product is.
Why Clicks
Clicks began life as a ardour mission from co-founder Mr. Cellular. It’s a love letter to anybody that misses typing from their tactile BlackBerry.
So-called “Crackberry Kevin,” together with some BlackBerry vets, labored to make Clicks the final word bodily iPhone keyboard.
This costly product is not for everybody, but it surely’s whimsical and enjoyable. Phrases which have been lacking from know-how for years.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate: bringing again bodily keys to your iPhone
I usually write my evaluations with the keyboard I’m reviewing, however it will be a trouble doing this with Clicks, particularly since some characters aren’t simply reached. So, every little thing earlier than this level is Clicks, and after is on my iPad.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate — design
Clicks is an all-in-one case that envelops your iPhone. The iPhone slips into the case and connects over the USB-C port within the base.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate: an iPhone case with a bodily keyboard
The case portion that surrounds the iPhone exists not for defense, however stability. With out that plastic again and rubber sides, there could be a hazard of breaking the USB-C port off from the load of the iPhone.
The designers prioritized the convenience of placing the iPhone in and eradicating it, so the preliminary mannequin doesn’t embody MagSafe. It appears they’ve figured that out, because the soon-to-ship iPhone 16 variant does have MagSafe within the case.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate: making the tall iPhone even taller
The rear of the case is obvious apart from behind the keyboard, the place there is a plate of vegan leather-based. It offers a snug and tactile floor the place your fingers will relaxation when typing.
The iPhone is already a reasonably lengthy system, however Clicks makes it really feel comically lengthy. It makes me want there was some type of sliding mechanism, however that may double the system thickness, so maybe Clicks struck a stability.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate — options
The Clicks Keyboard is pretty simple. Your iPhone connects over USB-C, and Clicks makes use of minimal energy to run — no, there’s no influence on battery life.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate: cost over USB-C, however no information
The USB-C port helps quick charging pass-through, however no information. It is not a problem, but it surely does imply you may’t use CarPlay with this Clicks Keyboard case hooked up.
The case has built-in buttons, not cutouts on your iPhone’s quantity, energy, and Motion buttons. The case slips on and off with none challenge, although you will need to transfer the case, not the telephone, or else danger damaging the USB-C connector.
The backlit keys even have separate standing lights for Caps and Alt keys. If you are going to kind a quantity or punctuation, the Alt keys additionally must be pressed first or held down.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate: backlit keys and indicators for Caps and Alt
Keyboard instructions additionally work to an extent. Command House opens Highlight, however there is not a Command Tab interface on iPhone. Holding the microphone brings up Siri.
In case you want a personality not on Clicks or an emoji picker, there are bodily keys that carry these up. So, it’s trivially simple to summon the software program keyboard at any second.
One of many main promoting factors of Clicks is the flexibility to see extra content material on the display since there is not a software program keyboard in the way in which. That is truly fairly good and will be fascinating in Messages or Safari.
Utilizing Clicks
I’ve managed to spend a few months with Clicks, utilizing it on and off all through. The problem has been to search out occasions when it is smart to connect a complete keyboard.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate: be taught an entire new grip for typing
Carrying the Clicks Keyboard is not extremely handy given its dimension. When it’s hooked up to your iPhone, it stands out of your again pocket, and it’s massive for some bag pockets.
Given the character of this system, I do not anticipate to see anybody strolling round with the Clicks Keyboard all day, however that is not to say you may’t. It feels extra like one thing you will have round for nostalgia or a celebration trick, not for productiveness or a function.
That mentioned, I can see Clicks being an fascinating device for some sorts of writing. For instance, the Journal app is barely accessible on iPhone, and I’ve taken to utilizing Clicks every time I am writing in Journal. It forces me to decelerate and assume.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate: bodily keys for Journal
That is an essential level I wished to make on this evaluate. The iPhone has made it extremely simple to kind out giant blobs of textual content in seconds — you do not even must hit the fitting keys half the time.
All the pieces strikes so quick in in the present day’s technological world, so it’s good to see a product that forces us to be extra deliberate in our actions. So, whereas Clicks is not essentially the most sensible or productive product, it helps in different methods.
Placing a value on nostalgia
Ever since I noticed Clicks for the primary time, I’ve thought concerning the potential of such a product line. At the same time as I write this, the iPhone 16 model is being promoted with varied helpful enhancements I’ll focus on in a future evaluate.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate: impractical however whimsical
The rationale I am not making an attempt to be too harsh on this costly and area of interest product is due to what it represents. The co-founders of the corporate wished to construct one thing bodily that represented what we left behind when Steve Jobs revealed the all-screen iPhone.
I hope the keyboard nerds on the market respect this product and assist hold it alive, if solely to see the way it matures. A line of devoted bodily keyboards for iPhone is an intriguing idea, so I am glad Clicks exists.
Clicks Keyboard evaluate — professionals
- Nostalgia made bodily
- Pleasantly clicky
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Extra display actual property whereas typing
- Decelerate and assume
Clicks Keyboard evaluate — cons
- Extremely impractical
- Unimaginable value
- Requires no case on iPhone to make use of
- No MagSafe
- No information passthrough
- Makes already giant iPhones unwieldy
- Large studying curve switching from digital to bodily — most will abandon making an attempt
Score: 3 out of 5
It feels considerably inconceivable and unfair to grade the Clicks Keyboard. Not solely is that this an extremely area of interest product that does not actually support in something past satisfying nostalgia, the worth will hold most however essentially the most curious away.
The divisiveness of this product means for a lot of studying this, it’s seemingly a 2.5 out of 5, which is our common “does the job” rating. Decrease would counsel shoddy craftsmanship or bodily hurt, which is not true right here.
For those who need this product and are prepared to spend, there is not one other prefer it. It’s simply 4 stars or higher, and could possibly be 5 stars if it addresses a few of my complaints.
So, we have landed within the center. Google calls for a rating, so it is a 3.
The place to purchase the Clicks Keyboard
This evaluate lined the Clicks for iPhone 15 Professional Max. Notice that Clicks for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16 lineup differ, with the iPhone 16 product being a superior model. You’ll want to buy the right mannequin.