It’s January, which means another year of sleek, rectangular glass slabs is on the horizon. But before the usual parade of flagship smartphones takes center stage, CES 2026 delivered a handful of surprisingly unconventional phones tucked away in the corners of the convention center. While robots struggled with laundry and flashy gadgets stole the spotlight, these niche devices hinted at a future where phones might finally break free from their cookie-cutter molds. Clicks, best known for its keyboard accessories, unveiled something unexpected: the Communicator, a full-fledged smartphone with a retro-inspired design reminiscent of BlackBerry devices. Featuring a physical keyboard and a curved silhouette, the prototype I handled wasn’t fully functional, but the keys were crisp and satisfying to press. Swappable back panels add a customizable flair—though I’d personally love a fuzzy tennis ball yellow option. Designed more as a companion device than a replacement for your main phone, it’s ideal for situations where typing matters more than scrolling. Still, cofounder Jeff Gadway mentioned surprise interest from users who see it as a viable primary phone. And honestly, after feeling how solid it is in hand, I’m starting to see their point. Then there’s the MindOne Pro from Ikko, a brand I’d never heard of before—originally known for earbuds. Hidden in a quiet corner past a questionable meatball sandwich stand, this tiny Android phone stood out instantly. With a square shape, a 4-inch screen, and a rear camera that flips up for selfies, it’s a playful twist on mobile design. The rotating camera also doubles as a kickstand, a simple but clever idea. It’s lightweight—so light it felt like carrying nothing at all compared to my Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The phone runs Android, but also includes a proprietary AI-focused OS with free global data for AI features. If you’re not into the AI extras, you can preorder it without the custom OS. I’m eager to test it, but I’ll be keeping an eye on Ikko’s software update track record and data privacy policies. And then there’s the TriFold, a device that defies easy categorization. Not on the main floor, but impossible to ignore thanks to its 10-inch unfolding display. When folded, it’s a compact phone. Unfolded, it becomes a full-fledged tablet with a powerful DeX-like experience—perfect for multitasking, watching videos side by side, or even browsing the web in a desktop-like layout. I spent most of my time using it unfolded, and it made me reconsider my tablet skepticism. Could this be the device that finally lets me leave my MacBook behind? These three phones represent different approaches to a shared problem: our current smartphones are powerful but often ill-suited for specific tasks. What if they weren’t so intrusive? What if they had keyboards? What if they could double as a tablet or even a lightweight computer? The mainstream phone market may still be stuck in a design rut, but CES 2026 reminded us that innovation isn’t dead—just hiding in the margins. And for those of us craving something different, that’s more than enough reason to stay hopeful.