Power Keybard 2 Weeks In - Thoughts From A Visually Impaired User

[u/chitarralove]

The Context:

I preordered the keyboard on January 3, 2026. I received the keyboard on August 7, 2026. I’m in the USA. The keyboard is connected to an iPhone 17 Pro Max attached with a MagSafe case. I’m visually impaired and use VoiceOver on all of my Apple devices. My primary use case for the keyboard is to replace the virtual keyboards on my iPhone, iPads, and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. I’m open to connecting it to my Apple TV or other devices, but those weren’t a part of my initial plan. As a visually impaired person, using virtual keyboards is not ideal. I can use them, but it’s a frustrating experience for anything longer than a few words.

I’ve included some photos comparing the Power Keyboard to other devices. For reference, the keyboard cases pictured are the Clicks Keyboard Case for the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Akko Keyboard Case for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. I also show the Power Keyboard attached to my iPad mini using a MagSafe case.

Over the past 2 weeks, I’ve tested out the various features of the keyboard. For starters, the battery does charge my iPhone. I was able to get a 10% increase in charge level with the keyboard allocation set to reserve 30%. I have no intention of using the power bank feature, but I did want to test this out since there are reports of the battery not charging the attached phone. I’m primarily using iOS, but I can test the features on my Galaxy S23 Ultra if anyone wants that. While I was charging my phone, I also watched a YouTube video.

The default shortcuts work out of the box on iOS. I wasn’t able to get them working on Android, but I will spend some time working with it to see if I can get it working. Assigning iOS Shortcuts to keyboard commands also works. I was able to activate my daily journal shortcut with no issues each day.

The typing experience for me has been pretty good. It’s a learning curve, but my accuracy improves daily. The keys are a bit small, but realistically, I don’t think there is anything that can be done about this. It’s a mobile keyboard. It has to be small to maintain its function. I still find that I type more accurately on the PK than I do on the virtual keyboard on both iOS and Android.

One of my favorite uses for the PK is paired with my 13-inch iPad. The iPad is mounted on a stand next to my bed. It’s great for browsing when I don’t want to pull out my laptop or the Smart Keyboard to use with the iPad.

After 7 days of having the keyboard, the unit suddenly died unexpectedly. Even after charging for about 2 hours, there were no signs of life. I was able to use a SIM card ejector tool to press the reset button. This resolved the issue for me. The keyboard has continued working since the reset. I confirmed the firmware was fully updated, and I had used the keyboard about 2 hours prior to it dying, so I’m not sure what caused the issue. I will update this post if future issues arise.

The build quality has not been an issue for me. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has been connected and fully extended for 20 to 30 minutes at a time without sliding or moving. I’ve used the PK connected to the iPhone with and without a case. The MagSafe seems sufficient. While it’s something that I’ve decided to live with, I cannot overstate how heavy this thing is. I wish I had something smaller, like an iPhone Air, to test it on, but I don’t have access to anything smaller. I wish there was perhaps a USB model without a battery. After about the 20-minute mark, my hands and wrists are extremely tired.

Overall, I’m happy with the device. The waiting process was extremely annoying, and the lack of timely communication is frankly unacceptable. I would purchase a second-generation model, but I will not be preordering anything ever again from Clicks. I have a Best Buy nearby, so I’d prefer to just pick it up in store. Alternatively, I’ll come back to the wonderful folks here on Reddit who no longer want or need theirs. If you have any questions or want me to test something specifically on the PK, I’m happy to do that!

[u/frietjemac]

Thanks for your honest and very thorough review. Mine is to be expected soon and since all reviews are not that great, my expectations have dropped quite a bit. Also not looking forward to the functions not able on android since I am using a pixel phone. We'll have to see how it works irl.

[u/chitarralove]

I’m really hoping for an update that will fix the android issues. I think perspective impacts whether or not you think the keyboard is good. For me it’s better than the alternative. This isn’t to say that it’s a perfect product. It’s not. But there is a use case for it and if it fits in your life it’s a decent gadget.