The Commodore Callback 8020 is a new phone that’s up for pre-order for $500 and which is expected to ship before the end of 2026. But it looks like a flip-phone from the early 2000s, and that’s intentional.Positioned as a distraction-free phone with a retro-inspired design that evokes Nokia handsets from the turn of the century, the phone also has some features inspired by classic Commodore computers and other devices (like calculators). It’s clear that the new owner of the Commodore brand is looking to capitalize on the nostalgia factor. But unlike some other modern phones positioned as distraction-free or minimalist devices, the Callback 8020 is actually a full-fledged smartphone… with a few very unusual limitations.The flip phone features a polycarbonate body and a 1.77 inch cover display with several LED lights for notifications. Flip the phone open and you get a larger (but still pretty tiny) 3.25 inch, 640 x 480 pixel IPS LCD display positioned above a T9 number pad with a few dedicated function keys.It’s powered by a MediaTek Helio G81 processor and features 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual SIM support and a microSD card reader, plus a user-replaceable 1550 mAh battery. There’s also a 48MP rear camera and a front-facing camera and a 3.5mm audio jack. The phone also supports FM radio and comes with a pair of high quality wired earbuds.But possibly the most interesting things about this phone are the things that it won’t do. That little display? It’s technically a touchscreen, but touch has been disabled for most apps and is only activated when required.And not only does the phone ship without a web browser or any social media apps pre-installed, but Commodore says they’re “blocked at the system level” and cannot be installed.The Callback 8020 runs Sailfish OS, which is a Linux-based operating system developed by Jolla. While Sailfish does have a compatibility layer that allows you to install and run many Android apps, the Callback 8020 has a “Commostore” app store that doesn’t include those applications… and the company has also taken steps to prevent people from sideloading any social media apps. Commodore is even blocking apps like TikTok at the DNS level, so if you do manage to find a way to get the app up and running, it won’t be able to connect to TikTok’s servers and will effectively be useless.Other apps, like “email and work apps” are “not offered through the Commostore,” but can be sideloaded.Overall, it sounds like a phone designed for people who want a distraction-free device, but might not really have the discipline to truly stay off sites that encourage doomscrolling.Of course, you could just buy an actual dumb phone that isn’t powerful enough to support modern apps and games. The Nokia 3210 candy bar-style phone sells for less than $70, while a TCL Flip 3 flip-phone costs about $30. You could buy 16 of those for less than the price of a Commodore Callback 8020.But the Callback 8020 isn’t really a dumb phone. It supports apps, allowing you to install Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, or other messaging applications to stay in touch with the people you care about.. while being just small, slow, and awkward enough that you’re probably not going to want to use it for much more than phone calls and simple messaging most of the time.via Commodore