Commodore markets the Callback on its website.
(Image: Commodore)
The Callback 8020 aims to assist users in modifying their smartphone habits without browsers and social media. The manufacturer has responded to pricing criticism.
Trends always come back. Vinyl records, “Wetten dass…,” and now the flip phone. The Commodore brand, known from the home computer era of the 1980s, has returned with an unusual product: the Callback 8020, a Linux-based flip phone deliberately omitting browsers, social media, and work-centric apps like Slack or Teams.
A Phone That Intentionally Does Less
The fundamental idea behind this device comes from Commodore’s President and CEO, Peri Fractic. He made a personal transition to a simpler flip phone to overcome his own smartphone dependency. The Callback 8020 is the result of this personal journey, described by Fractic as “the perfect middle between dumb and smart.”
It uses Sailfish OS from Finnish company Jolla, which can reportedly run 99% of Android apps thanks to its compatibility layer. However, it blocks specific app categories at the system level, preventing the installation of browsers and social networks. Supported services include WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, mapping services, music streaming, calendars, podcasts, and FM radio.
Users can load apps manually via APK files, but according to Commodore, the device is fundamentally designed as a calmer, more mindful phone.
Technology for Simplicity
Technically, the Callback 8020 is already outdated by design. It features the MediaTek Helio G81, a mid-range processor from 2020, alongside 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. A 32GB microSD card comes with the device. The inner display measures 3.25 inches with a resolution of 480 by 640 pixels, while a secondary display shows time, date, battery status, and reception.
The device features a 48-megapixel Sony camera on the back, a replaceable battery, and two SIM card slots. Commodore intentionally bypasses 5G support, citing reasons related to battery life, housing size, and their detox approach. Instead, it supports 4G-VoLTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, with IP44 certification for water resistance. A touchscreen is available but disabled by default.
Commodore places special emphasis on audio quality, incorporating chips from ESS and Cirrus Logic, along with an “audiophile DAC” for lossless sound reproduction. The device also plays ringtones inspired by the legendary Commodore 64 sound chip, SID, and includes pre-installed games like classic C64 titles and Snake.
The casing is available in five color variants: ProtoPET White, SX Silver, BASIC Beige, Starlight Edition (transparent), and a golden Founders Edition.
Pricing Criticism and Manufacturer Response
The initial price of $499 faced criticism, prompting Commodore to reduce the price of the three standard variants and the Starlight Edition to $399. The golden Founders Edition remains priced at $640. To further entice early buyers, a $50 discount is offered for orders on the first pre-order day, June 30.
Commodore attributed the price reduction to two measures: eliminating standard headphones and using refurbished “post-consumer” storage chips backed by a one-year warranty. Customers wishing for brand-new storage and the company’s Hi-Def IEM headphones can order these at an additional cost.
Commodore explained the original higher price by pointing out that, unlike many smartphone manufacturers, the company does not generate revenue from collecting and selling user data. They also cited increased storage prices due to a memory crisis and the costs of included accessories.
The Callback 8020 likely targets a niche audience—people willing to set their primary device aside temporarily, paying for a device defined by what it does not do.
The Commodore Myth and Its Resurgence
The Commodore brand immediately triggers nostalgia among tech enthusiasts. Founded by Jack Tramiel in the 1950s, the company significantly influenced the digital revolution of the 1980s with home computers like the VC20, the Amiga series, and the iconic Commodore 64, the best-selling home computer worldwide.
However, after Commodore International’s bankruptcy in 1994, the brand’s rights have endured a tumultuous journey. Various companies have attempted to use the name for modern PCs, MP3 players, and even an Android smartphone (the Commodore PET in 2015), generally with limited success.
A true revival of the brand began in the retro community. In June 2025, British retro-tech YouTuber Christian “Peri Fractic” Simpson, alongside a group of investors, acquired the brand’s official rights (Commodore Corporation B.V.). To ensure authenticity, Simpson enlisted legendary former Commodore veterans like chief engineer Bill Herd (C128), Jeri Ellsworth, and former UK Managing Director David Pleasance.
Shortly thereafter, the company launched its first official product: the Commodore 64 Ultimate series and the Commodore 64X PC—modern, fully licensed hardware revivals long-awaited by fans. With the Callback 8020, the company now ventures into a new product segment.
