Commodore announces flip phone that blocks social media

A revived Commodore brand has announced its first mobile phone, the Callback 8020, a flip phone designed to block social media and web browsers while retaining essential communication and navigation apps. The device, unveiled on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, is positioned as a bridge between smartphones and basic "dumb phones," targeting users seeking a digital detox.

The phone runs a customized version of the Linux-based Sailfish OS, which the company says is compatible with 99 percent of Android applications. It will support apps including WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Google Maps, Uber, and Spotify. However, social media apps and web browsers are blocked at the system level, a restriction that cannot be disabled. The company states this is to eliminate "doomscrolling" and reduce digital distractions, describing the phone as "school friendly" and "human friendly."

Physically, the Callback 8020 is a clamshell device with a front screen that displays time, battery, and signal status. It features a 48-megapixel Sony rear camera, an FM radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack with a built-in digital-to-analog converter for high-quality audio, and a removable battery. Touchscreen capabilities are...