Commodore releases $500 Linux-based phone that doesn't support Slack or Instagram

Published: 16 June 2026

Konstancija Gasaitytė
Journalist

Commodore Callback 8020 — Image by Commodore

The new Linux-based flip phone won’t let you scroll your Instagram feed or check Slack notifications, but it will send messages on WhatsApp.

Commodore launched the Callback 8020, a Linux-based flip phone designed to reduce screen time.
The phone is designed as a “middle ground” between a smartphone and a dumb phone.
It starts at $500, offers replaceable batteries, and colorful swappable covers.

Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.

Commodore, which previously released retro computers, has now launched a new flip phone.

What may look like another dumb phone at first glance is actually something “in between,” the company explained.

Nowadays, more is being talked about the excessive use of smartphones. With that, more people are looking for alternatives to reduce their time spent online.

Considering this, the company has launched Commodore Callback 8020.

“Callback may be designed to help you spend less time staring at a screen, but when you need to capture something, it makes it count,” stated the company.

Commodore Callback 8020 flip phone specifications

The phone runs the Linux-based Sailfish OS and includes all necessary features, such as a camera and a calendar.

It also includes “99% of Android apps,” including maps, Spotify for music, and WhatsApp and Signal for messaging.

The catch here is that it doesn’t support browsers, work-related apps like Slack, or social media apps, such as Instagram.

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The phone, which has a starting price of $500, doesn’t have a touchscreen to minimize “doomscrolling,” and instead of receiving notifications, the user is pinged with a “unique dome LED notification.”

The company also offers replaceable batteries and “swappable back covers” available in bright colors.