I was very happy when I first saw the Clicks Keyboard Case. It’s the first iPhone case of its kind with a built-in physical keyboard…yes, in 2024! I remember typing and texting ferociously on my noisy Blackberry Curve and LG Rumor back in the day and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. You can imagine my surprise when I found myself hating Clicks first of all.
When I connected it to my iPhone 15 Pro this summer, I thought it would be like riding a bike after a long time: simple, easy, effortless, and most importantly, nostalgic. But it was quite the opposite. Between small keys, finding the right way to hold the case in my hands, and memorizing shortcuts, I often used the virtual keyboard. this thing takes time to learn.
The latest version created for the iPhone 16 line improves things overall. The keys are larger and contoured, it supports MagSafe and CarPlay, and a new dedicated action button lets you activate certain commands. (It’s only available for iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max right now, but the company says it will have cases for iPhone 16 and 16 Plus by the end of the year.) The updates will not take away the fact that Patience is still a necessity at the beginning. But it’s worth it: physical keys rule.
Key price
Naturally, the built-in keyboard caught my eye when I first heard about Clicks. Then my eyes quickly went to the price. The Clicks Case is expensive, starting at $139 and going up to $159 for the larger iPhone Pro Max models. Yes, it’s technically two products in one (a case and a keyboard), but I typically don’t spend more than $50 on an iPhone case. Still, it’s easier to understand. because It is very expensive once it is in your hands.
I already thought the Clicks iPhone 15 case felt good, but the iPhone 16 version goes a step further. The rubber back is now a harder plastic that not only feels more durable but also attracts less dust and lint. It’s also easier to get in and out of your pocket (if you have a pocket it fits in) because it doesn’t snag. There are brushed metal side keys, a nice touch, along with a cutout for the new camera control button on the iPhone 16. On the bottom half, you’ll find a vegan leather patch that adds nice padding while holding the case.
The keyboard is much better in this version. On the iPhone 15 Pro, the keys are small, round, raised buttons and I found them tedious to type, especially if I wanted to avoid a typo. The latest version features keys with a contoured design and, more importantly, the surface of each button is 35 percent larger. Larger targets mean more precise writing. They’re backlit (in both versions), so it’s just as easy to write in the dark, too.
Photography: Brenda Stolyar