Never mind that when Commodore was a household name, mobile phones did not exist because, to some modern people who don’t even know typewriters existed, a keypad phone is very much a retro gadget. Perhaps this is why we find it fitting that Commodore has a cell phone. Yes, a keypad phone.
Called the Commodore Callback 8020, it is designed NOT to enslave you. Like the Ulefone Armor Mini 5 4G, the Callback also blends old-school keypad phone nostalgia with a modern touchscreen. But it takes things a step further. Social media is blocked, and so are browsers, and it is disconnected from the cloud. Basically, it has nothing to distract you from the physical world, and it lets a phone be what it is: a phone.
It is billed as being balanced between too-smart-for-our-own-good smartphones and dumb phones that may be a tad too dumb. It values privacy first—thanks to Sailfish OS. Like devices running this privacy-first OS, it does run 99% of Android apps. That said, owning this phone does not mean you are a savage. It keeps you connected through WhatsApp and Short Message Service, both of which are pre-installed. Moreover, it supports Signal, Telegram, WeChat, and more. It even supports iMessage.
The phone’s design is decidedly retro. It rocks a flip design, complete with a stub antenna. Commodore said the hinge is rated for over 200,000 open-and-close cycles. The retro vibe is not limited to the looks. The phone marries retro and modern functionality. For the former, it features T9-style texting with predictive text input, alongside dedicated Fn keys.
It also claims to rock “audiophile HD audio” and FM radio, and comes with a pair of IEM earphones worth 50 bucks so you can take advantage of the audio bliss.
The device is powered by a MediaTek Helio G81 chip with passive cooling on a 100% bespoke Commodore PCB, working with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage, which is plenty for a device like this. It has two displays. There’s a 1.77-inch VFD-style display on the outside, and a 3.35-inch IPS display with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels on the inside.
Imaging is in order too, by way of a 48 MP Sony rear camera with flash and intelligent autofocus, plus an autofocus front-facing camera. And yes, it supports video calls. Also on the back of the flip phone is an SOS/multifunction button, and off to the side, there’s a loop for charms, just like the good old days.
The device supports dual SIM, plus it has a microSD slot that supports up to 256 GB. A 32 GB card is included, preloaded with free albums. Though exactly which albums remain unclear. But definitely no U2, Commodore said.
The 8020 is juiced by a 1,550 mAh removable battery accessible via the back cover. In addition, there are SID chiptune ringtones, built-in FM radio, worldwide network compatibility, secure GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi hotspot, dome LED notifications, tactile physical buttons, and a privacy kill switch that you can quickly activate by double-tapping the rear button to go off-grid.
The Commodore Callback 8020 is real, and it will be available for pre-order starting June 30, 2026, at 10:00 CEST, at a special starting price of US$499.99 plus tax (U.P. US$549.99) in the U.S. It is expected to ship starting this winter. It ships worldwide for free—for a limited time.
Images: Commodore.
