Foldable smartphones have already taken the world by storm. Dual-purpose mobile phones are so attractive as they give you the freedom to enjoy both a small and a large screen in a single handy package. AND it’s entirely up to you whether you want the unfolded screen to be smartphone-like or tablet-like.
Though Samsung has control of foldable smartphones at the moment, challengers like Honor are beginning to emerge. Undoubtedly, Huawei’s Mate X and its outward folding form were quite popular at the time, but consumers have since moved towards the more innovative, inward-folding design Samsung launched.
Now, devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 are some of the most innovative options that combine a dual form factor, water resistance, IP68 dust, and S Pen support. In the ever-evolving world of foldables, everyone is trying to get in on it, with Honor’s Magic V and Oppo’s Find N.
Honor’s Magic V foldable smartphone looks set to be very powerful, and this is why you should pay attention to this innovative device.
Meet the Honor Magic V
Magic V by Honor is the first folding phone introduced by the Chinese brand. After splitting from its parent branch, Honor is all ready to add its foldable into the mix but testing waters only in the Chinese market. Although the Magic V will take the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, the device is expected to arrive with better specifications and design than any foldable smartphone in the market.
With its slim profile, latest-generation power, robust build, and premium design, Honor Magic V is sure to leave Android users in awe. Also, this variant is available in three colors: Black, Titanium Silver, and Burnt Orange.
Let’s explore the specifications of this innovative device in more depth and how it can set a powerful impression on consumers.
Design and Display
In terms of manageability and design, Honor Magic V features the same style Samsung and Huawei have carried in their latest big-screened foldable smartphones. The cover display of this device measures 6.45 inches with a Wide Full HD resolution of 1080 x 2560. As the cover display of Magic V is smaller than the front displays of Samsung’s foldables, it becomes more comfortable to use with the folded screen.
Though the cover display is no slouch, it has an OLED panel with a tall 21:3:9 aspect ratio and HDR10+ credentials. Surprisingly, the 120Hz refresh rate of Magic V outperforms the inner display.
As far as the main display is concerned, the Magic V by Honor features a 7.9-inch LED screen, which is larger than the main display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Additionally, it boasts a resolution of 2272 x 1984.
Regarding build and design, Magic V is relatively thin for a foldable when folded at 14.3mm, each half measuring about 6.7mm thick. Above all, the phone has a very small gap between the two sides when folded. Compared to Samsung’s foldable flagship, Magic V by Honor also has a very subtle crease.
The build of the Magic V foldable smartphone is quite premium. With an aluminum frame, glass back, and glass front, the phone grabs the users’ attention at just a glance. Furthermore, the back of the Titanium Silver Magic V phone features a clean, striated finish, making it an excellent alternative to matte or shiny foldables.
Performance and Specifications
After its disassociation with Huawei, Honor can independently conduct business activities with US companies. So, the company can source chipsets for its smartphones from San Deigo-based Qualcomm. Qualcomm has also confirmed that its chipsets will power the upcoming Honor smartphones and tablets.
Compared to other Honor phones, Magic V utilizes the latest power, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. Thus, you can comfortably enjoy gaming on this foldable.
What’s more? Just like Honor 5 and Honor 5 Pro, Magic V has access to Google Play Services (GMS). Also, it supports the Magic UI 6.0 update to give users a better experience. This Android-derived software system brings several new features and elements to the Magic V, ultimately improving the overall user experience with a simple and engaging interface.
For example, Magic UI Features an attractive “Seamless Smart Office,” which allows Honor Magic V to share files wirelessly with supported laptops. Additionally, the interface incorporates a “Trusted Execution Environment” for authentication and secure payments. What’s more? This update includes a new camera application that allows users to preview the filter in the “Viewfinder” even before taking a shot.
When it comes to storage and internals, the Magic V supports 12GB RAM with 256GB and 512GB storage options. PLUS, the UI can be customized for the foldable form factor with pro features for multitasking.
Also, the Magic UI update furnishes the Magic V with a brand-new look that flaunts a new Drak Mode, making it easier for users to navigate their Honor phones more comfortably.
This new UX design of the Magic UI strikes a perfect contrast between the background and text, thus minimizing visual fatigue and increasing legibility. Additionally, the color saturation can also be fine-tuned with this new user interface to ensure optimal consistency between the dark and normal modes.
Camera
We all know that foldable smartphones don’t have the strongest cameras. The foldables tend to be thicker by nature, so adding big cameras will only add to their heft. Thus, the Magic V does not have the best camera you will ever find in a smartphone.
Though this phone’s camera is not going to make a place in the list of the best camera phones of 2023, you will be glad to see three 50MP cameras on the back of the device, including the Spectrum Enhanced Camera, the Ultrawide Shooter, and the main Wide-Angle Camera.
What we know is that the main camera comes with a 23mm wide angle and an f / 2 lens. The second camera is unclear, but Honor classifies it as “Spectrum Enhanced” and features an f / 2 lens. Though the exact purpose of the Spectrum Enhanced camera is not very clear, it does not look like a zoom camera.
Finally, you will see an ultrawide 50MP shooter with f / 2.2 aperture, a 13mm lens, and a field of view of 122 degrees. The central camera mix of the Magic V lacks OIS and an optical zoom, and this is what puts the device behind the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
As for selfies, the Magic V flaunts two 42P front cameras with an f / 2.4 lens. You will find one front camera on the cover display, while the second one is on the main display.
Battery
Honor’s Magic V phone features a respectable battery with a capacity of 4,750 mAh, larger than the 4,500 mAh cell in Huawei’s Mate X2 and the 4,400 mAh cell in Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Additionally, it supports ultra-fast charging of 66W, the fastest ever you will find for a foldable smartphone. The advertised charging speed of the Magic V can get it up to 50% in just 15 minutes.
Final Verdict: Is Honor Magic V Worth the Hype?
Rumored to go for a whopping US$2,200 in China, the Magic V is an innovative foldable smartphone by Honor. The device combines a slim profile with cutting-edge performance to give the best user experience.
Compared to the industry’s giant, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, the Magic V features a larger display, easy-to-use design, and ultra-fast charging. Also, the pro features of the phone deliver a premium, flagship experience.
In particular, the Magic V by Honor proves that the company has the capacity to operate independently and excel in the crowded smartphone market. While lack of wireless charging and water resistance are the two main omissions that put the Magic V behind the Z Fold 3, Honor’s phone still boasts a larger battery, a super-premium feel, and a more practical front display.
