For the longest time, I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect small keyboard for my phone. Especially since starting this blog, I wanted a way to capture my thoughts whenever inspiration strikes, without being tethered to my desk.
The Mobile Typing Dilemma
Sure, I could use my laptop or iPad. I even invested in one of those mini keyboards where you can prop up your phone and type away. That setup works great when I’m traveling or lounging in my living room. Being Korean, my default position is often sitting cross-legged, leaning against the couch, and using the coffee table as my workspace. The iPad or mini keyboard is perfectly suited for that scenario.
But let’s be honest. More often than not, I’m being a complete potato in bed or sprawled across the couch. Beyond my questionable posture habits, I frequently need to write lengthy texts for work chats or compose emails on the go. And I absolutely hate typing on smartphone touch screens.
Why Touch Screens Don’t Cut It
Typing on touch screens simply doesn’t deliver the same experience. I always enable haptic feedback because not knowing whether I’ve pressed something is deeply unsatisfying. I tried swiping, but that method proved error-prone and resulted in countless typos. As a person with small hands where the thumb does not reach across the whole width of the phone, attempting to swipe across the entire keyboard surface is a genuine struggle.
The Search for Something Better
So, I did what any reasonable person would do. I dove into obsessive research mode. These days, I can’t purchase anything without watching every YouTube video and reading every review I can find. And all roads in the physical keyboard for phones universe led to one destination: the Clicks keyboard case.
Unfortunately, I have an iPhone 15, and I wasn’t about to buy a whole new iPhone 16 just for the latest Clicks model. After extensive research and borderline obsession, I drove to Best Buy, where they had a dedicated booth for Clicks with demo units available to try.
Love at First Type
As soon as my fingers hit those keys, I was hooked. The keys are firm and tactile. For phone keyboards, if they’re too easy to press, you risk unwanted “butt dials”, something I vividly remember from my BlackBerry days.
The newer version for iPhone 16 models is admittedly better. Those keys are firm but easier to press, and the ergonomic slants are an improvement over my model’s flat profile. Nevertheless, I’m thoroughly enjoying my iPhone 15 version so far.
The Typing Experience
Paired with autocorrect and autocapitalization, the keyboard is surprisingly forgiving, and I find myself getting absorbed in the writing process much more than before. The Clicks app allows for some customization, though options are somewhat limited for the iPhone 15 model, mostly backlit settings and soft return configurations.
What’s Next?
Today marks day one with my new keyboard case, so I haven’t yet explored the shortcuts for automations. Honestly, I’d probably prefer to use my Google Home for most automated tasks anyway. I am, however, interested in creating macros (or what iOS calls text replacements), which I’ll be looking into shortly.
Day 1 review complete! If you’re a touch typist frustrated with smartphone screens, the Clicks keyboard case might be a solution you’ve been searching for.