If you're looking to get a foldable flagship foldable, the HONOR Magic V5 is a nice consideration.
This slim 8.8mm foldable comes with a price tag of RM6,999 price tag, representing as HONOR's third consecutive year of maintaining the same price for its foldable flagship Magic line. It's impressive enough that the phone still spots interesting upgrades that challenges how smartphone users handle their foldables in the current busy environment, as the Magic V5 sees several hardware and software enhancements.
Here's how it fared during our tests.
Editor
Jodee Tan chevron_right
Table of Contents
HONOR Magic V5 Specifications
- Display (Main): 7.95 inches foldable LTPO AMOLED (2172 x 2352px), 1B colors, 120Hz, 5000 nits (peak)
- Display (Cover): 6.43 inches LTPO OLED (1060 x 2376px), 1B colors, 120Hz, 5000 nits (peak)
- Processor & GPU: Snapdragon® 8 Elite (3nm, octa-core), Adreno 830 GPU
- Operating System: Android 15, MagicOS 9
- Rear Camera (triple):
- 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS
- 64 MP, f/2.5, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 3x optical zoom
- 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
- Front Camera:
- Main: 20 MP, f/2.2 (wide)
- Cover: 20 MP, f/2.2 (wide)
- Memory:
- 12GB + 256GB
- 16GB + 512GB
- 16GB + 1TB
- Battery: 5,820mAh, 66W wired, 50W wireless, 5W reverse wired
- Dimensions: 156.8 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (folded), 156.8 x 145.9 x 4.1 mm (unfolded)
- Weight: 217g
- Built:
- Honor Super Armored Inner Screen (main)
- Honor Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield (cover)
- IP58/IP59 dust protected and water resistant
- (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1m for 30 min)
- Stylus support
Screen & Design
Anyone who holds the Magic V5 will surely can't help but to admire its impressive slim built. It also comes in several brilliant colours: Dawn Gold, Silk Brown, Ivory White and Black. Our review unit is the Dawn Gold, which is a golden-satin finish that feels smooth-to-touch, and gives off a soft sheen that catches subtle light shimmers under natural light.
At 217g, Magic V5 is among the lightest foldables.
In formal matters, both the inner and cover screens are of AMOLED and OLED screens that offer bright, vivid colours under sunlight, maintaining a 5,000 nits brightness (peak). Not only that, the 7.95-inch inner screen is made of a Non-Newtonian Fluid that acts as protection, fortified with an anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield outer glass.
The phone's given an official IP58 and IP59 dust protection with water resistance rating. It doesn't stop there, as Magic V5 possesses quite the robust built as shared by HONOR.
Now, most impressively is the strength of the Magic V5, to which is encapsulated within a carbon-fiber back and Aerospace-grade hinge which HONOR claims is certified for 500,000 folds. That is 100 folds per day for up to 13 years.
Watch: HONOR Magic V5 durability showcase
In its launch and first look sessions for media, HONOR confidently demonstrated the Magic V5's Super Steel Hinge whereby an HONOR Magic V5 has hung a 35kg dumbbell as well as an actual 2-seater sofa. At the same, the Magic V5 was showcased for its lightness whereby it floated above a powerful air jet vent, alongside a golfball (which did not float). Video showcases also tested the phone to hold about 100kg worth of weight.
If these doesn't say anything, let us put it into perspective for you; HONOR has engineered the Magic V5 with the strength of a Nokia 3310 brick.
Performance & Battery
Magic V5 is backed by a Snapdragon® 8 Elite CPU and Adreno 830 GPU. It is primed for productivity, with its cover screen capable of operating like traditional bar phones, and its main foldable screen offering a tablet experience. This device is optimized for multitasking, ensuring a smooth transition between apps, multitasking modes, and various workflows.
Although not marketed heavily for gaming, in our test with 10 minutes of Zenless Zone Zero and Diablo Immortal, the Magic V5 did very well to run the games which demand high graphic capabilities especially the former. Visuals and motions hardly stuttered, with the phone feeling just slightly warm.
Despite its slim profile, HONOR Magic V5 manages to deliver an upgraded battery capacity to its predecessor without compromise. Malaysia gets the international model which comes with a 5820mAh HONOR Silicon-Carbon Battery, currently known as the thinnest high-capacity cell in its segment.
Power management is also integrated with prowess of HONOR’s E2 Power Enhanced Chip that provides an extended battery use as well as optimise thermal performance. In our experience, the battery went down to about 2-3% during our 10-minute gaming test. At that rate, you can expect to get 1 day worth of battery easily with medium workload.
Camera
Keeping up with its flagship symbol is HONOR Magic V5's camera technology that promises professional-grade photography. This time, Magic V5 sees an upgrade in camera for it holds a powerful 64MP Periscope Telephoto Camera with 100x zoom - an optical telephoto lens that does not compromise bulk, and is the first among foldables. The triple setup is also adorned with a 50MP Main Camera, 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera, and a 20MP Selfie Camera. This setup is designed for clarity, vibrance, and detail in every shot.
Diving into HONOR's affirmation on its optical zooming capabilities, we are happy to accept HONOR's claim as we could easily capture sharp and dynamic shots with its telephoto lens without much struggle, whether in daylight or dim settings.
Image results were pleasantly vivid in broad daylight (with slight high brightness than usual) albeit with HONOR's signature high-contrast imaging profile that we aren't a fan of especially when shooting human portraiture. All-in-all, the phone does very well for landscape and street photography. As for human portrait shots, some good lighting adjustments are needed to achieve a more natural outcome.
UI, OS & AI
HONOR Magic V5 comes with Android 15-based MagicOS 9, which is a clean, simple and speedy interface. On the main screen, productivity apps and games like Diablo Immortal and Zenless Zone Zero were optimised comfortably. When needed, fold the phone and content will comfortable port onto the cover screen quickly and smoothly.
Like previous HONOR Magic generations, Flex Mode is also available where it will organise multiple apps side-by-side with split-screen functionality. This helps with not just switching and easy drag-and-drop apps for productivity on the go, but also to ensure your hands don't need to move as much on a big phone that is the Magic V5 when unfolded.
Of course, expect the likes of Gemini Live AI, on-device translation and Magic Live Captions for enhanced productivity. Plus, you'll also get up to 5 years of security and 4 years of software updates.
What we like
Built & Design
It's amazing how the Magic V5 is made truly slim yet built so strong. In fact its slim factor is comparable to the thickness of a Malaysian 50-cent coin and weighing just at 217g.
Aside from the slimness, the innovative materials used to build the phone, such as the slim Silicon-Carbon Battery and Non-Newtonian Fluid for the screen to allow for safe folding, are a testament to HONOR's interest to use less waste and thus, makes the phone more environmental-friendly, all without compromising on price and durability.
If you are doubting the durability of a foldable smartphone, let HONOR Magic V5 be the one to prove you wrong.
Camera
To manage a slim phone, materials generally have to be cut down, and that includes the mechanism of its camera. HONOR has managed to keep costs down due to its premium 64MP periscope lens on the Magic V5, ensuring most zoom levels produce sharp and clear image results. For the sole reason, its camera is worth picking up the HONOR Magic V5 as your choice of a foldable phone.
Price Point
With how HONOR has assured the flagship is built with premium strength and materials, it's also a wonder how they managed to keep the Magic V5 priced the same as its predecessors. At RM6,999, while not a low-entry price, but Magic V5 is one of the more value-for-money flagships to have. If budget is a concern, Magic V5 is a good pick.
What we dislike
With that said, for its price also comes a small quip. Unlike its competitors, HONOR has had to cut short its support as it caps security at 5 years, and OS at 4 years now. Compared to competitors now offering beyond 5 years, for its price it will be the biggest dealbreaker for foldable smartphone shoppers to consider.
Who is this for?
Pros
- Good camera capability
- Impressive material finishes and built
- High durability
- Good price point
Cons
- Shorter years of support for OS (4 years) and security (5 years) compared to competitors
- Being one of the lightest phones around, when in hand, weight distribution can feel off-balance
At RM6,999, its value stands to be one of the most appealing factor of the Magic V5, with its camera and impressive design-built being the cherries on top. Those who want to explore having a premium flagship foldable without forking out over-the-top prices due to uncertainty of foldable smartphone durability can look to the HONOR Magic V5.
Purchase the HONOR Magic V5 on HONOR Malaysia for RM6,999.
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