$499 flip phone that blocks all social media revealed by console maker Commodore

Commodore, the iconic gaming company, has unveiled a new phone, but it’s unlike most modern smartphones. It’s designed for simplicity and doesn’t support popular features like social media, streaming, or even playing demanding games.

Today’s smartphones are incredibly powerful. They have amazing cameras, lots of storage, and high-resolution screens. You can quickly use all your social media apps, and even play demanding games like Call of Duty with excellent graphics. These phones have far more processing power than older handheld consoles like the DS and Game Boy ever did.

Despite the popularity of smartphones, Commodore has launched a new flip phone designed to help users disconnect – it doesn’t include social media apps or a web browser.

Commodore introduces new flip phone without social media or browsers

The Commodore Callback is a unique phone that combines the simplicity of a classic flip phone with the features of a modern smartphone. It’s designed to be distraction-free, so it intentionally blocks access to social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, and YouTube, as well as all web browsers.

As a huge fan of simpler times, I was so excited to hear the CEO describe the new Commodore phone! He explained it as a modern phone, but without all the stuff that stresses me out – no annoying ads, tricky algorithms, endless scrolling, web browsing, overflowing email, or work chats following me home. Basically, it’s a throwback device designed for making calls and sending texts – and honestly, that sounds amazing!

Even without traditional texting, you’ll still be able to use essential apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Google Maps, and Uber. Plus, you’ll have a music player and camera, so you can navigate, stay connected, and let friends know if you’re delayed—especially since you haven’t used physical buttons for typing in decades!

And of course, no Commodore would be complete without a selection of classic games (we’re hoping for Outrun 2006!) and iconic ringtones. So even if you can’t search for hints online, you’ll still have plenty to enjoy.

This news arrives as several countries – including Australia, Canada, and the UK – are considering or have already implemented bans on social media for children under 16. It’s possible that if younger teens can’t access these platforms, we might see a renewed interest in simpler phones like flip phones.

The phone isn’t available to buy until preorders begin on June 30th. If you sign up for the waitlist, you might get $100 off the regular price of $499.99. The see-through Starlight Edition will cost $549.99, and the gold version will be $640.00.

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2026-06-17 14:19