Introduction – Why This Foldable Matters
On July 2, 2025, Honor unveiled the Magic V5, immediately reclaiming the “thinnest foldable” title with an impressive 4.1mm open profile and a lightweight 217g chassis. But the engineering doesn’t stop at the form factor—inside, the V5 packs a substantial 6,100mAh battery, Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and a 64MP periscope zoom camera. The combined specs signal a direct challenge to Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7, both in terms of design efficiency and raw performance.
Honor Magic V5 at a Glance
| Category | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions / Weight | 8.8 mm folded (White), 9 mm folded (other colours); 4.1 mm open; 217 g | China gets the full range; global SKU caps at 512 GB |
| Displays | Inner 7.95″ LTPO OLED, 2352 × 2172, 1–120 Hz, 5 000 nits (peak) • Cover 6.43″ LTPO OLED, 120 Hz | Crease depth visibly reduced vs V3 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite (4 nm) | First book‑style foldable with the chip |
| Memory / Storage | 12 / 16 GB LPDDR5X • 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB UFS 4.0 | Importers start at US$1,529 |
| Cameras | 50 MP wide (OIS) • 50 MP ultrawide • 64 MP 3× periscope (OIS) • Dual 20 MP selfies | 64 MP zoom out‑specs Oppo Find N5 |
| Battery / Charging | 6 100 mAh (CN) / 5 820 mAh (global) • 66 W wired • 50 W wireless | Silicon‑carbon cell keeps temps low |
| Durability | TÜV‑rated 200 000 folds • IP58 dust / IP59 water jets | Rare dual IP rating for a foldable |
| Price (China) | CNY 8 999 (~US $1 255) for 12 + 256 GB | Importers start at US $1 529 |
*Only the Ivory White model hits 8.8 mm; other colors are 0.2 mm thicker.
Design & Build – Slim Is In
Tom Morgan at Stuff put it succinctly: “Holding the ultra-slim Magic V5 made me wonder whether I’d ever go back to a non-folding phone.” The device’s tapering metal frame conceals the hinge effectively, contributing to a seamless profile. Honor’s proprietary “special fiber” back helps keep the Ivory White variant below 9mm in thickness when closed. Meanwhile, the Gold and Brown options utilize vegan leather for a textured finish, although this adds a slight increase to the overall thickness.
- Ergonomics: At 217 g the V5 is lighter than an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and its shorter, wider outer screen makes one‑handed use far easier than on Samsung’s tall Z Fold line.
- Camera bump reality check: The triple‑lens island rises above both halves of the phone, partially undermining the “world’s thinnest” brag – The Verge calls this out as a “big caveat.”
Display Quality – 5,000-Nit Peak Performance
Honor has retained the same dimensions as the previous generation but increased the screen brightness to an impressive 5,000 nits. Outdoor legibility is excellent, even in direct sunlight. Both panels utilize LTPO technology, supporting adaptive refresh rates from 1 to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling without excessive power drain. NotebookCheck notes the fold’s inner crease is less pronounced than on the Magic V3 and barely visible unless viewed from a specific angle under strong light.
Performance – Snapdragon 8 Elite Delivers
In initial NotebookCheck lab tests, the V5 scored approximately 2,300 (single-core) and 7,100 (multi-core) in Geekbench 6, outperforming the Oppo Find N5 and matching leading slab phones. Thermal throttling was controlled, remaining under 15% after 20 consecutive 3DMark runs, likely due to Honor’s vapor chamber and graphene sheet cooling system.
Camera Test – 64MP Periscope Zoom Upgrade
The V5 features a 64MP 3x periscope zoom as part of its triple-camera setup, offering significantly greater optical reach than the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s 10MP zoom or Oppo Find N5’s 50MP module. Early sample images display sharp detail in indoor lighting (30-50 lux) and effective portrait edge separation. Comprehensive low-light testing is still pending, but Honor’s ISO 102400 Night mode appears promising based on initial results.
Battery & Charging – High Capacity, Rapid Charging
Equipped with a 6,100mAh dual-cell battery (China variant), the V5 now holds the largest battery capacity in a mainstream foldable. Honor reports a full charge from 0% to 100% in 46 minutes via wired charging, or 75 minutes wirelessly. In NotebookCheck’s YouTube HDR loop test, the device achieved 11 hours and 37 minutes of runtime—an improvement of 15-25% over the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Software – MagicOS 9 Evolves
MagicOS 9 brings:
- Multi‑Window 3.0 – drag any app into a floating stage, and save split‑screen presets.
- Magic Portal AI – one‑swipe contextual actions (translate, summarise, copy text from images).
- Google Play Services: present only on the forthcoming global ROM; China units rely on Huawei‑style app galleries.
Durability – A Dual IP First
Beyond its 200 000‑fold TÜV certificate, the V5 offers IP58 dust and IP59 water‑jet resistance – protection levels rarely seen together on any phone, let alone a foldable.
Pricing & Availability
- China RRP: CNY 8,999 (~ US$1,255) for 12 + 256 GB.
- Imports: US$1,529–1,999 depending on RAM/storage. Shipments begin July 9.
- Global rollout: Honor says “coming soon,” widely tipped for IFA 2025 in September.
Honor Magic V5 vs Galaxy Z Fold 6
| Category | Magic V5 | Z Fold 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness (folded) | 8.8 mm | 12.1 mm |
| Weight | 217 g | 239 g |
| Battery | 6 100 mAh / 5 820 mAh | 4 600 mAh |
| Main Camera | 50 + 50 + 64 MP | 50 + 12 + 10 MP |
| IP Rating | IP58 / IP59 | IPX8 |
Honor wins on size, weight, and endurance; Samsung still offers S‑Pen support and a mature global ecosystem.
Market Impact – A Thin Lifeline in a Shrinking Segment
DSCC is projecting a 4% drop in foldable display shipments for 2025, which is a sharp reversal after consistent double-digit growth. On the other hand, Honor is pushing the envelope with ultra-thin designs and higher battery capacity, hitting two major user pain points: device bulk and poor battery life. This could stimulate renewed interest in foldables, just as overall demand appears to be cooling off.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Record‑setting thinness and weight
- Class‑leading 6 100 mAh battery with 66 W fast charge
- Dual 120 Hz LTPO OLEDs at 5,000 nits
- Robust IP58/IP59 durability
Cons
- Camera bump spoils the flat aesthetic
- Google services absent on China firmware
- Global pricing and release window still unconfirmed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honor Magic V5 waterproof?
It’s rated IP59, meaning it will survive high‑pressure water jets, plus IP58 for dust, better than most foldables.
Does the Magic V5 support Google Play?
Only the forthcoming global ROM will ship with Google services. Chinese units rely on Honor’s App Market.
How many folds can the hinge withstand?
Honor’s TÜV certification guarantees 200,000 folds – roughly five years at 100 folds per day.
What’s Next for the Magic V Series?
With the Honor Magic V5 pushing the limits of hardware design, it’s clear that Honor is setting itself up as a formidable player in the foldable arena. But what comes next?
- Magic V5 Ultimate Edition? There’s speculation of an even more premium version with satellite connectivity and stylus support. Nothing is confirmed yet, but Honor has a pattern of releasing Ultimate variants months later.
- MagicOS AI Expansion: Magic Portal is impressive, but still limited to Honor’s own ecosystem. The upcoming MagicOS 9.1 is expected to broaden third-party app support and AI capabilities, potentially making the Magic V5 even smarter in daily use.
- Global Market Strategy: All eyes are now on IFA Berlin 2025, where Honor is rumored to reveal the global launch of the Magic V5 alongside a possible Magic Vs4 Lite. If the price lands under $1,500 globally, the V5 could seriously undercut the Samsung Fold series.
Should You Buy the Honor Magic V5?
Here’s a quick checklist to help you decide if the Honor Magic V5 is worth your money:
✅ You want a foldable phone that’s light and pocketable
✅ You prioritize battery life and charging speed
✅ You’re a fan of futuristic designs with flagship specs
✅ You live in China or are comfortable flashing the global ROM when it drops
🚫 You rely heavily on Google apps and don’t want to sideload
🚫 You need an ecosystem with accessories like the S Pen or Dex
🚫 You want a wide inner display ratio for tablet-like multitasking
If most of those checkboxes fit your needs, the Magic V5 is not just a foldable—it’s a statement.
Final Thoughts
Honor isn’t just chasing specs anymore—it’s defining new standards. The Magic V5 doesn’t compromise where it counts: it’s thinner, lighter, brighter, and lasts longer than almost any foldable that came before. Add IP59 durability and a powerful periscope lens, and you’ve got one of the most complete foldables on the market today.
For now, its biggest drawbacks remain software localization and global pricing uncertainty. But if those are resolved at IFA 2025, Samsung may finally face real competition in the West.
Engage With Us
What do you think about the Honor Magic V5?
Does ultra-thin beat ultra-versatile? Would you give up Google Play for a better design? Let us know in the comments below.
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