I went in search of bizarre telephones and CES 2026 didn’t disappoint

It’s January, which suggests there’s an entire 12 months of rectangular glass slabs forward of us. But earlier than that occurs, I managed to search out telephones of a special form lurking across the corners of the CES conference heart halls. They weren’t heart stage, after all. That was reserved for robots doing laundry badly. But 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 — at the least, if you recognize the place to look.

Clicks, the corporate identified for its keyboard circumstances, 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 exhausting into Clicks’ BlackBerry DNA, with its full keyboard and Curve-esque design. The prototype models I bought to play with weren’t useful, however the keyboard keys labored, and boy did they really feel good. The interchangeable again panels are smooth, and I’m personally campaigning for a fuzzy tennis ball optic yellow choice.

The Communicator isn’t essentially attempting to place your predominant smartphone out of a job. Its creators envision it as a companion to your every day driver, one thing you permit the home with when typing out an electronic mail goes to be your focus greater than scrolling by means of a feed of vertical movies. You know, like once you’re operating between conferences at a conference for 4 days. But you don’t have to make use of it that approach; Clicks cofounder and advertising lead Jeff Gadway instructed me that they’ve been stunned by the variety of folks expressing curiosity within the cellphone as a main machine. And you recognize what? Those folks may 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 Pro on my radar. It was straightforward to overlook on the present flooring; Ikko’s sales space was within the farthest reaches of Central Hall previous a concession stand promoting questionable meatball sandwiches. But discover it I did, and as soon as I had it in hand I didn’t wish to let this little cellphone go. It’s a full-featured Android cellphone with a sq. format, 4-inch display, and 50-megapixel rear digital camera that rotates upward for selfies. The digital camera even acts as a kickstand if you wish to prop the cellphone up! What an idea. I put the MindOne Pro in my pocket, and after a few weeks carrying the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it felt mild as a feather.

I’d by no means heard of Ikko, which apparently bought its begin making earbuds. Still, 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 information. The MindOne Pro truly comes with a second OS put in: a proprietary OS that facilities round AI apps. These AI options additionally include free world information so you should utilize them even if you happen to’re away from your property community. The firm’s Kickstarter web page mentions that you may preorder the cellphone and have it shipped without the Ikko OS, solely Android, which is an interesting choice if you happen to’re within the small cellphone side 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 virtually as massive 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 virtually 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 aspect by aspect, and turning the entire thing sideways and scrolling by means of 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 may embrace that life-style if it meant I may get away with leaving my MacBook at house extra typically. I intend to check this principle as quickly as I can.

There had been different uncommon telephones about and a few extra familiar-looking shapes, however these three stand out to me as alternative ways to strategy the identical downside: 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 laptop? Wouldn’t that be one thing? The rectangular slabs are unimaginable items of tech, and most of the people are most likely simply high quality with that establishment. But for these of us asking for one thing else, I’m glad there are corporations prepared to strive one thing formed a bit in another way.

Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge