I went on the lookout for bizarre telephones and CES 2026 didn’t disappoint
It’s January, which implies there’s a complete yr of rectangular glass slabs forward of us. However earlier than that occurs, I managed to seek out telephones of a distinct form lurking across the corners of the CES conference middle halls. They weren’t middle stage, in fact. That was reserved for robots doing laundry badly. However within the margins at tech’s largest present, I noticed some glimmers of hope that the way forward for telephones won’t look as same-y because it has for the previous half decade — a minimum of, if you understand the place to look.
Clicks, the corporate identified for its keyboard instances, didn’t simply launch a mixture MagSafe energy financial institution and slide-out keyboard accent. It additionally launched a whole-ass cellphone. The Communicator leans laborious into Clicks’ BlackBerry DNA, with its full keyboard and Curve-esque design. The prototype items I bought to play with weren’t practical, however the keyboard keys labored, and boy did they really feel good. The interchangeable again panels are glossy, and I’m personally campaigning for a fuzzy tennis ball optic yellow possibility.
The Communicator isn’t essentially attempting to place your essential smartphone out of a job. Its creators envision it as a companion to your every day driver, one thing you allow the home with when typing out an e mail goes to be your focus greater than scrolling via a feed of vertical movies. You already know, like while you’re operating between conferences at a conference for 4 days. However you don’t have to make use of it that approach; Clicks cofounder and advertising lead Jeff Gadway informed me that they’ve been shocked by the variety of folks expressing curiosity within the cellphone as a major system. And you understand what? These folks is likely to be on to one thing.
A small Android cellphone that’s hip to be sq.
I have to tip my hat to Ben Sin for placing the MindOne Professional on my radar. It was straightforward to overlook on the present flooring; Ikko’s sales space was within the farthest reaches of Central Corridor previous a concession stand promoting questionable meatball sandwiches. However discover it I did, and as soon as I had it in hand I didn’t need to let this little cellphone go. It’s a full-featured Android cellphone with a sq. format, 4-inch display screen, and 50-megapixel rear digicam that rotates upward for selfies. The digicam even acts as a kickstand if you wish to prop the cellphone up! What an idea. I put the MindOne Professional in my pocket, and after a few weeks carrying the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, it felt mild as a feather.
I’d by no means heard of Ikko, which apparently bought its begin making earbuds. Nonetheless, I’m somewhat cautious of a cellphone maker after I’m uncertain of its monitor report for offering software program updates and being good stewards of your private knowledge. The MindOne Professional really comes with a second OS put in: a proprietary OS that facilities round AI apps. These AI options additionally include free world knowledge so you should use them even for those who’re away from your house community. The corporate’s Kickstarter web page mentions you could preorder the cellphone and have it shipped with out the Ikko OS, solely Android, which is an interesting possibility for those who’re within the small cellphone facet and never all the remainder. I’m hoping to try it out quickly, so keep tuned for extra.
The TriFold wasn’t even on the primary present flooring, however its presence on the present loomed nearly as giant as its 10-inch show. And in equity, it’s a rectangular glass slab. It simply unfolds right into a a lot larger slab. I spent nearly all the time I used to be allotted with it utilizing it unfolded — rearranging home windows in DeX standalone mode, displaying three vertical video feeds facet by facet, and turning the entire thing sideways and scrolling via our homepage, which is surprisingly superior. I’m not a pill man often, however the versatility and promise of the TriFold makes me marvel if I might embrace that life-style if it meant I might get away with leaving my MacBook at dwelling extra typically. I intend to check this idea as quickly as I can.
There have been different uncommon telephones about and a few extra familiar-looking shapes, however these three stand out to me as other ways to method the identical drawback: Our telephones are nice, however they don’t fairly work for us on a regular basis. What in the event that they weren’t so intrusive? What in the event that they got here with a keyboard? What in the event that they had been additionally a pill that is also your pc? Wouldn’t that be one thing? The oblong slabs are unbelievable items of tech, and most of the people are in all probability simply nice with that establishment. However for these of us asking for one thing else, I’m glad there are corporations prepared to strive one thing formed a bit otherwise.
Images by Allison Johnson / The Verge