Exploring the Quirky Side of Phones at CES 2026
It’s January, and that means a whole year of sleek, rectangular devices is on the horizon. But before diving into that, I stumbled upon some uniquely shaped phones tucked away in the CES convention center. While the spotlight was on robots fumbling with laundry, I caught glimpses of innovation that suggest the future of smartphones might break free from the monotony we’ve seen over the last few years—if you know where to look.
A phone for your phone
Clicks, known for its keyboard cases, has introduced not just a MagSafe power bank and slide-out keyboard accessory, but an entire phone. The Communicator channels Clicks’ BlackBerry roots with its full keyboard and a design reminiscent of the Curve. Although the prototypes I tried weren’t fully functional, the keyboard felt fantastic, and the sleek interchangeable back panels are a nice touch. I’m personally rooting for a fuzzy tennis ball optic yellow option.
The Communicator isn’t necessarily meant to replace your main smartphone. Its creators see it as a companion device, perfect for those moments when you need to focus on typing out emails rather than scrolling through social media. Think of it as your go-to when you’re darting between meetings at a convention. Interestingly, Clicks cofounder Jeff Gadway mentioned that many users are considering it as their primary device, and honestly, they might be onto something.
A small Android phone that’s hip to be square
Shoutout to Ben Sin for bringing the MindOne Pro to my attention. It was easy to overlook at the show, tucked away in Ikko’s booth at the far end of Central Hall, past a snack stand selling questionable meatball sandwiches. But once I got my hands on this compact phone, I didn’t want to let it go. It’s a fully functional Android device with a square 4-inch screen and a 50-megapixel rear camera that rotates upward for selfies. Plus, the camera doubles as a kickstand! After carrying the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for a couple of weeks, the MindOne Pro felt incredibly light in my pocket.
I hadn’t heard of Ikko before, which started out making earbuds. I do have some reservations about a phone maker with an uncertain track record for software updates and data privacy. The MindOne Pro comes with a second OS focused on AI apps, complete with free global data for use outside your home network. Their Kickstarter page mentions that you can preorder the phone without the Ikko OS, opting for just Android, which is appealing if you’re interested in the compact design without the extra features. I’m looking forward to testing it out soon.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
The TriFold wasn’t even on the main show floor, but its presence was hard to ignore, especially with its impressive 10-inch display. Yes, it’s still a rectangular glass slab, but it unfolds into something much larger. I spent most of my time with it in its unfolded state, juggling windows in DeX mode, displaying three vertical video feeds side by side, and scrolling through our homepage in landscape mode, which was surprisingly enjoyable. I’m not usually a tablet person, but the versatility of the TriFold makes me wonder if I could adapt to that lifestyle, especially if it means leaving my MacBook at home more often. I plan to put that theory to the test soon.
There were other intriguing phones and some more traditional designs, but these three caught my eye as innovative solutions to a common issue: our phones are great, but they don’t always meet our needs. What if they were less intrusive? What if they included a keyboard? What if they could also function as a tablet or a computer? The rectangular devices are impressive pieces of technology, and most people are likely satisfied with the status quo. But for those of us seeking something different, it’s exciting to see companies willing to explore alternative shapes and functionalities.
