– Commodore is releasing the Callback 8020, a retro-style flip phone with a transparent option and red secondary display.
– It runs on Jolla Sailfish OS, claiming 99% compatibility with Android apps.
– Comes without a default web browser or social media, but includes WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Spotify.
– Features basic hardware: MediaTek Helio G81, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 48MP camera, LTE, and a swappable 1,550 mAh battery.
– Pre-orders start June 30, with prices ranging from $499 to $639, and delivery expected in Q4 2026.
After YouTuber Christian Simpson bought up Commodore’s remaining assets, the company was able to bring back the 1982 Commodore 64 – and sell a whooping 30,000 units of the retro console. Now Commodore is venturing into the 21st century, into the golden age of flip phones.
Unusual Design and Retro Charm
With the Callback 8020, Commodore is introducing what is arguably one of the most unusual cell phones of the year. Compared to flip phones like the Nokia 2760 Flip ($59 on Amazon), the Commodore Callback 8020 offers significantly more retro charm with a red secondary display and a case that is transparent in at least one version. However, Commodore also promises a broader range of features, as the phone is said to be compatible with 99 percent of all Android apps, made possible by the Linux-based Jolla Sailfish OS.
Default Apps and Hardware Specifications
The phone does not come with a web browser or social media apps by default, but it does include WhatsApp, Google Maps, Spotify, and a camera app. The 1,550 mAh battery can be swapped out in just a few simple steps. A 3.5 mm headphone jack allows for the use of wired headphones. The 3.25-inch display supports touch input as an option, though this feature is disabled by default. With a MediaTek Helio G81, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a microSD slot, a 48-megapixel main camera, and an LTE modem instead of 5G, the hardware is relatively basic.
Pricing and Pre-Order Details
The Commodore Callback 8020 flip phone will be available for pre-order starting June 30. Anyone who registers on the Commodore website will receive a $50 discount at launch. With this discount, the phone costs $499 in white, black, or beige; $549 in the blue, transparent “Starlight Edition”; and $639 in the gold “Founders Edition.” Prices are subject to import sales tax, customs duties, and shipping. Delivery is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
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