What you need to know
- Commodore is moving forward after its first Callback 8020 to address a major consumer problem: its price.
- The company says it has managed to drop the price of the phone by $100 in time for orders to start on June 30.
- Commodore has had to deal with a few issues across resources, RAM, and privacy, but says it will introduce “bundled pricing” and options at launch.
Commodore’s Callback 8020 had been popular since its debut, but the problem wasn’t the call. It was a price. The company is coming forward to fix that.
Last week, the Callback 8020 wowed consumers with its Y2K aesthetic, bringing back the classic answerphone style. However, the device was launched at a high price: $500. Today (June 24), Commodore reached out in a press release, saying it will drop the price of the Callback 8020 by $100, meaning the “BASIC Beige, ProtoPET White, SX Silver, and translucent blue Starlight Edition” will now start at $399.
Commodore International’s CEO and president, Peri Fractic, commented on the community’s reception, saying, “The global response to the Commodore Callback has been an incredible support for our vision. Along with that excitement, many of you have told us you want an accessible entry point. We’re listening.”
The company says that this past week was full of communication between it and its partners to fix this clear issue of prices. However, this was not cut and dry. Commodore says it should have identified key areas that contributed to the phone’s high prices: privacy, the current global RAM crisis, and utilities. While the Callback 8020 is $100 off, Commodore says this is due to the introduction of “bundled pricing.”
If you want to add custom designed Hi-Def IEM earphones, you will have that option. Additionally, Commodore will offer the option to add “premium memory.” Both of these options will be available at checkout when pre-orders open on June 30. This date is important, as buyers looking for a pre-order date can save an additional $50, which means the price will be $349.
Register for the launch day code to qualify for this extra cash discount.
Wake up, it’s almost 2000
Commodore’s Callback 8020 debuted last week. The company wanted to solve a few problems with technology today. A flip phone cuts through the scrolling dooms, so you won’t be jumping on Twitter (X) all day, and you won’t get lost in Instagram Reels. In addition, the phone does not work on Google. Don’t worry, Commodore’s Sailfish OS can run 99% of Android apps. You’ll still have access to WhatsApp, Signal, Spotify, iMessage, and more.
The company’s patent blocked internet browsers alongside social media apps. Commodore has also redesigned the alerts in its dome-shaped LED notification system to help reduce daily distractions.
Android Central Take
There’s a nostalgia itch I scratch for Commodore’s Callback 8020. Other than that, the phone looks pretty cool. Mobile privacy technology is a breath of fresh air, but it also tries to help limit the exposure of the user’s phone. Some of us may need that. Technical cleansing, if you will.