Commodore Is Back As $300-Smartphone: Mediatek Chip, 13MP Camera, Customized Emulators

Over 20 years after its apparent death, Commodore has been reborn in the form of the Commodore PET. The $300 Android smartphone's specs align with its price tag, but its the Commodore PET's ability to run legacy software that helps it stand out.

Commodore will put the PET up for sale this week in France, Germany, Italy and Poland. Commodore will offer the PET in more countries following the smartphone's initial launch, though the company hasn't disclosed specifics just yet.

The PET is powered by a 64-bit octa-core 1.7 GHz Mediatek and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop. It's stocked with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage space.

Consumers can throw another $65 at Commodore to step up to the version of the phone that has 3 GB of Ram and 32 GB of storage space. However, Commodore will ship both models of the PET with 32 GB memory cards.

Elsewhere on the PET's specs sheet, the smartphone sports a 13 MP rear camera and rocks an 8 MP selfie cam on its face. It has a 5.5 inch display that output standard HD, 1080p.

While it's the PET's hardware that matter's the most, it native emulators helps to sweeten the deal for the mid-tier phone. The emulators will allow consumers to run legacy software made for Amiga and Commodore C-64 computers.

After the company behind the most popular computer models in the world, the Commodore 64 and PET computer, went under in 1994, its assets were sold off and its brand moved from home to home.

Prior to this latest revival, Commodore name was resurrected about five years ago and branded onto an all-in-one PC. But about two years into it's new life, the Commodore name faded away once again.

About two years ago, Commodore Business Machines Limited laid claim to the Commodore name. And March of this year, Commodore Business Machines finally revealed what it intends to do with the name and assets.

Check out this video of the Commodore PET running A500 game Turrican II: