Honor Magic V review
The Honor Magic V is a foldable smart device that offers an impressive form factor, with a seamless design when closed and easy one-handed use. The outer screen has been improved to eliminate the cramped feeling found in other foldables. With a 6.5-inch display and a small hinge on the left side, this phone stands out from its competitors. I had the chance to experience it firsthand, and here's what I think about this innovative device.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor Magic V's build quality and design are undoubtedly its standout features. The device's form factor is particularly impressive, especially when closed. The outer screen, often the weakest part of foldables, has been significantly improved by Honor. It feels natural to use one-handed, with a 6.5-inch display that boasts a 90% screen-to-body ratio. Scrolling and typing are effortless on this device. One notable advantage the Magic V has over other foldables is its compact hinge design. Located on the left-hand side, it's small enough not to intrude on the screen real estate. The teardrop design of the hinge seamlessly integrates into the device, creating a symmetrical layout with no gap between the two sides when folded. This results in a perfectly equal and aesthetically pleasing device that's both satisfying to look at and hold. When unfolded, the Magic V reveals an impressive 7.9-inch display with an aspect ratio of 10.3:9, slightly larger than the Samsung Fold3. In comparison to other foldables like the Oppo Find N and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, the Magic V's screen is more spacious, making it ideal for media consumption and multitasking. The attention to detail in the design is evident, especially when considering the minimal creasing on the Magic V's display. This is a notable improvement over its competitors, including the Samsung Fold3, which displays a significant crease on its screen. Overall, Honor has made a concerted effort to perfect the design of the Magic V, creating a device that feels premium and is a joy to use.
Battery Life
One of the most impressive aspects of the Honor Magic V is its battery life. The device boasts an impressive 4750mAh battery, which is a significant upgrade from previous foldable smartphones. To put this into perspective, a typical smartphone battery is around 3000-3500mAh. In my hands-on experience with the Honor Magic V, I was blown away by its ability to last all day and then some. With moderate use, including scrolling, typing, and taking photos, I found that the device easily lasted 12 hours or more on a single charge. This is a testament to Honor's efficient design and the power of their latest 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. The battery life is further enhanced by the inclusion of 66W fast charging, which can take the device from 0-50% in just 15 minutes. This means that if you do find yourself running low on juice, a quick top-up will have you back up and running in no time. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the battery life of the Honor Magic V. It's a game-changer for foldable smartphones, which often struggle to deliver all-day battery life. With this device, you can confidently use it without worrying about running out of power mid-way through the day.
Display
As I delved into the world of foldable smartphones with the launch event of the Honor Magic V, one aspect caught my attention above all others: the display. Specifically, I was eager to experience the form factor and usability of this device, particularly when closed and used one-handed. The outer screen, a common weak point in previous foldables, has been elegantly addressed by Honor. The 6.5-inch display boasts an impressive 90% screen-to-body ratio, making it feel expansive yet surprisingly natural to use casually with one hand while scrolling or typing. I was particularly impressed by how the screen didn't feel small, stretched, or cramped – a feat often compromised in other foldables. A notable advantage of the Honor Magic V lies in its hinge design on the left-hand side. Its compact size doesn't intrude upon the screen real estate, offering an unobstructed viewing experience when folded. The teardrop design provides a seamless and symmetrical layout, eliminating any gaps between the two sides when closed. When unfolded to reveal the main 7.9-inch display with its 10.3:9 aspect ratio, I was struck by its slight superiority over competitors like the Samsung Fold 3. Notably, the Honor Magic V's screen showed minimal creasing – a remarkable feat given the foldable nature of this device. The rest of the display is an OLED panel operating at 90Hz, offering exceptional brightness with up to 800 nits. This feature will prove invaluable for outdoor use, where other devices may struggle in similar conditions.
Camera
The Honor Magic V is a foldable smartphone that boasts an impressive array of camera features. As one of the most anticipated devices in recent times, I was eager to put its camera capabilities to the test. On the front, the phone has two identical 42-megapixel hole-punch selfie cameras on both the inside and outside screens. While some may see this as redundant, I believe it's a clever design decision that allows users to take advantage of the phone's unique form factor. The cameras work well in good lighting conditions, capturing clear and detailed images. The rear camera setup is equally impressive, with two main sensors on either side of the device - a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens. These cameras are capable of capturing stunning images with excellent dynamic range and color accuracy. The Honor Magic V's camera also features an additional new type of lens, which the company calls an "Ultra Spectrum Enhanced Camera." This sensor is designed to work in conjunction with the other two main lenses, allowing for even more detailed captures in complex environments. In my limited testing, I was impressed by the phone's ability to capture nuanced images with a range of colors and textures. However, I did notice some limitations when shooting in low-light conditions. While the camera holds its own against other high-end smartphones, it doesn't quite match the exceptional performance of some of its rivals. One feature that sets the Honor Magic V apart from other foldables is its ability to seamlessly switch between cameras, using a clever mechanism that allows the phone to adapt to different shooting scenarios. This was particularly evident when switching between the wide-angle lens and the ultra-wide lens, which allowed me to capture expansive vistas with ease. Overall, I'm impressed by the Honor Magic V's camera capabilities, which are likely to satisfy most users' photography needs. While it may not be perfect, the phone's camera is certainly a highlight of an otherwise impressive device.
Price and Value
The latest foldable smart device from Honor, the Magic V, is making waves in China with its impressive specs and competitive price tag starting at around $1,500. As a major player in the global market, it's only a matter of time before this device makes its way to international markets. What caught my attention was the Magic V's form factor, particularly when closed and used one-handed. The outer screen, often considered the weakest part of foldables, has been significantly improved by Honor. The 6.5-inch display boasts a 90: body ratio, making it comfortable to use casually with one hand. The hinge design is another notable aspect, being slim and not intrusive on the screen real estate. When opened up to its full 7.9-inch display, users are greeted with a larger-than-average screen size and a crisp OLED panel that reaches up to 800 nits in brightness. At $1,500, the Magic V offers impressive value for money, especially considering it packs the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, dual stereo speakers, and a generous 4750mAh battery. The device also features 256 or 512GB storage options, along with 12GB of RAM as standard. While I didn't get to test the Magic V extensively in this review, its impressive specs and sleek design make it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade their foldable experience without breaking the bank.
Performance
The Honor Magic V is a cutting-edge foldable smartphone that boasts top-end specs, including the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. This powerful chip ensures seamless performance and efficient multitasking, making it an ideal choice for users who demand fast-paced experiences. One of the standout features of the Magic V is its incredible display. The outer screen has a 6.5-inch AMOLED panel with a 90:1 screen-to-body ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience when using the phone in its compact form factor. When opened up to reveal the main 7.9-inch screen, users are treated to a stunning visual feast with a 10:3 aspect ratio. The Magic V's display is also notable for its lack of creasing, which is often a problem on foldable phones. The hinge design has been carefully crafted to minimize any visible gaps or lines when folded, resulting in a seamless and symmetrical layout that's both aesthetically pleasing and functional. In terms of performance, the Magic V delivers with its 4nm SOC processor. Multitasking and split-screen features are intuitive and easy to use, making it simple to juggle multiple apps at once. The phone's 90Hz refresh rate further enhances the experience by providing a smooth and seamless user interface. The Honor Magic V also boasts an impressive camera setup, featuring two 42MP hole-punch selfie cameras and a triple-camera arrangement on the back, which includes a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The phone's ability to capture stunning photos in various lighting conditions is a testament to its exceptional imaging capabilities. Overall, the Honor Magic V's performance is nothing short of impressive. With its powerful processor, vibrant display, and advanced camera features, this foldable smartphone is well-equipped to handle demanding tasks with ease.