Commodore, the revived tech company now under the leadership of retro YouTuber Chris Simpson, has experienced its most successful period to date following the launch of its "dumbphone," the Callback. This privacy-first, social media-free device has driven unprecedented sales figures for the company.
The Callback, an old-fashioned flip phone, is designed to eschew modern smartphone complexities. It blocks social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at a system level, and also omits email and web browsing capabilities. The phone does, however, include a selection of retro games, including Snake, and notably features WhatsApp and a map application.
Initially announced with a $500 price tag, the cost was reduced by $100 before its presale period. This pricing adjustment appears to have been a catalyst for its success. Commodore announced on X that the Callback's first month of sales "matched the first month's sales of the Commodore 64 Ultimate," describing the period as "Our biggest launch. Our biggest week. The biggest moment in Commodore's modern history!"
This marketing push and product strategy represent a significant shift for Commodore, which in 2025 saw its acquisition by Chris "Peri Fractic" Simpson. Under his guidance, the company had previously released hardware such as the Commodore 64 Ultimate and the slimline 64C, alongside various merchandise. The Callback, however, marks a distinct pivot, focusing on digital minimalism rather than direct emulation of its classic computing legacy. Despite its restrictions, the inclusion of WhatsApp and a map application offers a compromise for users seeking to disconnect from pervasive social media while retaining some essential smartphone functionalities.