The manufacturer explicitly positions the device as a response to constant availability and what it considers problematic mechanisms of modern smartphone platforms. In conversation with heise, Commodore CEO Peri Fractic describes the Callback 8020 as a “not stupid dumbphone” for people who want to spend less time scrolling and more time in the real world. It is envisioned as a secondary device for staying reachable without being constantly exposed to the temptations of a smartphone with its notifications, apps, and games. The decision was influenced by his young daughter and his own behavior: “I was addicted to my smartphone,” says Prei Fractic.
Fantastic. We need more people like that.
If they were introducing some groundbreaking tech I could agree, but they’re using premade components to make their own version of an existing product. And sure, it’s cheaper to manufacture at scale but 5x the going price is way too much. For comparison, Nothing Phone launched 4 years ago at $400. By that logic it should’ve cost ~$1500.