Commodore Unveils Linux Powered Flip Phone | Hackaday
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Whatever happens with the new incarnation of the Commodore corporation, we’ll always remember the old one fondly. Well, we’ll remember certain of its products fondly, at any rate, if not the corporate leadership that drove them under. About that, perhaps the less said the better. That’s why we’re looking at the revived Commodore’s latest offering with equal parts interest and trepidation — is there really a market for a Linux-based, Commodore branded flip phone in 2026 and beyond?
The official reveal trailer, which you can watch below, can only be described as weaponized nostalgia for the late 90s, which tracks because the revived C-64 is more-or-less the same thing for the 8-bit era. That said, between replaceable batteries, actually having a decent camera — a 48MP Sony module — quality Cirrus Logic DAC for audio, and running the Linux-based, Android-app-compatible Sailfish OS, the "Callback 8020" ticks all the boxes. Except for price, that is. Many will find the $499 USD launch price a little tough to swallow in this economy, so we hope they aren’t betting the farm on this one being a mass hit.
This schematic diagram has all the specs the promo video left out.<br>Image: Commodore.<br>" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CommodoreCallbackSpecs.jpg?w=800" class="alignright wp-image-1118145 size-medium" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CommodoreCallbackSpecs.jpg?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="223" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CommodoreCallbackSpecs.jpg 2752w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CommodoreCallbackSpecs.jpg?resize=250,140 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CommodoreCallbackSpecs.jpg?resize=400,223 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CommodoreCallbackSpecs.jpg?resize=800,447 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CommodoreCallbackSpecs.jpg?resize=1536,857 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CommodoreCallbackSpecs.jpg?resize=2048,1143 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
Still, compared to other premium "digital minimalist" products like the LightPhone III, the price looks reasonable — and with web browsing and social media explicitly excluded from the app store, this phone is firmly in that category. At least this one comes with some sweet Commodore branded headphones, which double as an FM antenna just like they did on your Nokia back when.
While it doesn’t come with DOOM from the factory, it does come with Snake and a selection of emulated C64 games . Ringtones are SID samples, but of course there’s no actual SID chip in the phone, any more than there’s a 6502. That said, if someone builds a phone around a 6502, please let us know.
No, it’s not a new Amiga, as so many of us were hoping for, but by putting quality modern components into the flip phone form-factor, at least they’re trying to innovate (or perhaps retrovate) and we have to respect that. Only time will tell if the market does.
33 thoughts on “Commodore Unveils Linux Powered Flip Phone”
I doesn"t have to have Doom but Gian(n)a sisters or Skate-or-d1e, of course
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No want Flip Phone
BIG WANT qwerty slider.
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Or a “candy bar” form factor! Needs QWERTY either way.
With modern autocorrect seeming to get worse, even from major industry players, I’m highly skeptical of any modern take on T9 from a small newcomer.. also T9 was pretty annoying to start.
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I’d love a more real keyboard linux phone too, but still a flip phone is way way better than one of those annoying touch screens to type on when you must, as actual tactile feedback is just unbeatable allowing you to use the darn thing without looking, and means you don’t have to actually proof read every word to be sure the touch keyboard hasn’t made up button presses or auto corrected to entirely the wrong word.
As I’ve been needing a new phone for a long time I might actually be tempted, but going to need to look at what it really is on the Software/hardware technical front first.
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Nobody will stock language specific keyboards, creating SKUs for every language.
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This. If there’s a winning format for mobile devices that should also do other things where a keyboard becomes a necessity that’s the ideal one. Here’s an interesting platform I found lurking around some time ago. All Linux capable, the flip one giving strong Psion Series 5 vibes. No idea about how good they are, reliability etc, would love to read comments from users.
https://www.www3.planetcom.co.uk/devices-specification
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I second Cosmo Communicator, just the right form factor combining the best from both, flip phone and flat brick phone.
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"BIG WANT qwerty slider."
YES…..PLEASE!
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Hmm,...