The Commodore Callback 8020 is a retro cool audio-centric flip phone that blocks social media apps

Landing somewhere between a smartphone and a dumbphone, the upcoming Commodore Callback 8020 breaks the social media addiction.

Commodore went from selling the best-selling computer of all time, the Commodore 64, to bankruptcy, killed off by PC compatibles and the Apple Macintosh. In 2025, the brand was sold and brought back to life with the release of the Commodore 64 Ultimate. Fresh off the success of the Ultimate, Commodore is releasing a flip phone. 

The Commodore Callback 8020 aims to find the sweet spot between Luddism and technophilia. Browsers and social media apps are blocked at the system level. Messaging is available via SMS, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, WeChat, or even Apple Messages, though the latter is achieved via a potentially dicey third-party bridge. The phone runs Android apps but does not run Android. Instead, it runs a custom Linux-based Sailfish OS.

The Commodore Callback 8020 is trying to find the sweet spot between Luddism and technophilia. Browsers and social media apps are blocked at the system level. Messaging is available via SMS, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, WeChat, or even Apple Messages, though the latter uses a potentially dicey third-party bridge. The phone runs Android apps but does not run Android. Instead, it runs a custom Linux-based Sailfish OS.

Music is central to the device, with an onboard DAC and wired HD in-ear monitors. Music apps can be installed, but a microSD card preloaded with tunes is included. Ringtones are supplied by a SID chip, which is sure to delight Commodore fans. The phone comes in a variety of colors, including Commodore BASIC beige, and has swappable back covers for the removable battery.

It's unclear whether people are ready to go back to T9 texting, even with autocomplete, but many people of a certain age loved their Commodores and want to break their addiction to infinite scrolling. The Callback goes on sale on Commodore's site on June 30th.

Previously:
• Play Bubble Bobble, Wolfenstein, and 13,000 other Commodore 64 disks free online
• 30 year-old Commodore Amiga still powering school district heating system
• The Commodore 64's 'secret colours'