Get ready for a deep dive into one of the most anticipated foldable phones yet. The honor magic V5 has arrived, promising a blend of cutting-edge technology and refined design. This hands-on preview explores exactly what you get in the box and provides initial impressions before our comprehensive review puts this flagship device to the ultimate test.
Honor officially unveiled the Magic V5 in China after weeks of building excitement. It steps in as the direct successor to last year’s innovative Magic V3. The new model stands out immediately for being remarkably thin and lightweight for a foldable device. It packs a powerful flagship chipset, setting the stage for top-tier performance. Let’s unbox the Magic V5 and take a first look at its key features and design elements.
Unveiling the Magic V5: What’s in the Box?
The initial unboxing experience of a new phone can reveal a lot. With the Honor Magic V5, Honor provides a thoughtful set of accessories right in the packaging. Inside the box, you’ll find the Magic V5 phone itself, ready to unfold its potential.
Beyond the device, Honor includes essential items:
A 66W fast charger
A durable USB A-to-C charging cable
A custom-fit protective case
This included case is a practical addition. It covers the rear half of the phone and wraps around the hinge for protection. While it doesn’t guard the external cover display, it features a clever detail: a ring around the camera module that flips out to serve as a convenient kickstand. This allows you to prop the phone up, perfect for watching videos or video calls in its folded state. The case itself adds about 29g, bringing the total weight with the case to around 253g.
A Masterclass in Design: Thinness, Lightness, and Colors
The Honor Magic V5 makes a strong statement with its physical design. It arrives in several distinct color options: the elegant Ivory White, classic Black, vibrant Dawn Gold, and a rich Reddish Brown. Our unit for testing is the Ivory White model. Interestingly, the Ivory White version holds a slight advantage in terms of dimensions and weight compared to the other finishes.
Let’s break down the specific measurements:
Ivory White: 4.1mm thick when unfolded, 8.8mm thick when folded, weighs 217g.
- Other Colors: 4.2mm thick unfolded, 9mm thick folded, weigh 222g (5g heavier).
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These figures position the Magic V5 among the slimmest and lightest foldables available. It’s a significant step up from its predecessor, the Magic V3.
Comparing Physical Footprints: Magic V5 vs. Magic V3
Honor has made impressive strides in reducing bulk with the Magic V5. The lightest version of the previous Magic V3 weighed 226g. Its dimensions were also larger: 4.35mm unfolded and 9.2mm folded. This makes the Magic V5 noticeably thinner and lighter in hand than the V3. The feel is premium, with flat glass panels and a sturdy metal frame. The hinge mechanism is spring-loaded, facilitating smooth opening and closing, and it holds firm at specific angles, notably snapping into place at 70° and 90° for flexible use.
Some retail versions, like the one shown in an unboxing video, feature striking color combinations. A red, gold, and black model showcased a gold 3D texture on the spine covering the hinge. Its back panel was finished in red faux leather with gold accents around the camera. The phone is designed to feel “slim and light” in your hand, a key achievement for a foldable device housing high-end components.
Powering the Foldable Experience: Chipset, RAM, and Storage
Underneath its refined exterior, the Honor Magic V5 houses serious performance hardware. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. While the specific variant wasn’t detailed initially, rumors point to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version. This particular chipset variant is known for slightly higher clock speeds on the CPU and enhanced NPU capabilities, delivering a performance edge.
The unit we received for testing is equipped with a substantial 16GB of RAM. This is paired with a generous 512GB of internal storage. Such a configuration ensures smooth multitasking, rapid app loading, and ample space for files and media. The combination of a top-tier processor and abundant memory means the Magic V5 is built to handle demanding applications, high-end gaming, and complex workflows with ease.
Displays: Inner Grandeur, Outer Convenience
Foldable phones rely on two key displays. The Honor Magic V5 features a large folding inner screen designed for immersive viewing and productivity. It measures 7.95 inches diagonally when fully opened.
Complementing this is the external cover screen. This display provides quick access to notifications, apps, and information without unfolding the device. The cover screen on the Magic V5 has a diagonal measurement of 6.43 inches. Rumors suggest this outer display might feature a curved design, aligning with modern smartphone trends. While refresh rate details weren’t specified in the initial hands-on, flagship devices often boast high refresh rates (like the 144Hz or even 165Hz seen on some gaming phones) and advanced display tech like high-frequency PWM dimming for better eye comfort, suggesting Honor may implement high-quality panels here.
Battery Life and Charging Prowess
Despite its incredibly thin and light design, Honor has managed to pack a significantly larger battery into the Magic V5 compared to its predecessor. The Magic V5 features a robust 5,820 mAh battery cell. This is a notable increase from the Magic V3, which housed a 5,150 mAh battery.
Even more impressive, the Chinese version of the Magic V5 is reported to come with an even larger battery capacity, potentially up to 6,100 mAh. This focus on battery size is crucial for foldables, which power two displays. The inclusion of a 66W charger in the box ensures quick replenishment of the battery. While some high-end phones now offer 80W or even 100W charging, 66W is still very fast and a welcome inclusion unlike devices that omit the charger entirely. The goal is likely to provide a balance between capacity and charging speed, ensuring the phone can last through heavy use and get back to full power quickly.
Camera Insights
While the initial hands-on and unboxing didn’t delve deeply into camera performance, leaked specifications provide a glimpse into the Honor Magic V5’s potential photography setup. The camera island on the back is described as prominent but possibly not as large as the one on the Magic V3.
Reports indicate the Magic V5 is expected to feature a triple rear camera system. The exact sensor details vary across rumors, with some suggesting three 50MP sensors. Other sources point to a potential 64MP sensor for the telephoto lens, paired with 50MP for the main and ultrawide cameras. This suggests a versatile camera system capable of capturing high-resolution photos and offering optical zoom capabilities. Final camera performance will, of course, be evaluated in our full review.
The Hands-On Feel and Software Glimpse
Getting the Honor Magic V5 in hand provides the first real sense of its build quality and design execution. The focus on thinness and lightness is immediately apparent. The 217g weight (for the Ivory White model) feels surprisingly manageable for a device that unfolds into a tablet-sized screen. The hinge feels sturdy, giving confidence in its durability. The ability of the hinge to hold at specific angles (70° and 90°) is a practical feature, enabling ‘flex mode’ functionalities for unique usage scenarios, like placing the phone on a surface for video calls or taking photos.
The initial hands-on allows for a quick walk-through of key features, often demonstrated via a hands-on video. While a full software review requires more time, this initial interaction confirms the basic operation and responsiveness, hinting at the smooth experience expected from the flagship Snapdragon chip and 16GB RAM. The utility of the included case, particularly its kickstand feature, adds immediate value for users who want to utilize the phone’s flexible form factor out of the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main specifications and design highlights of the Honor Magic V5?
The Honor Magic V5 is a foldable phone powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, paired with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage in the tested unit. It features a 7.95-inch inner folding display and a 6.43-inch outer cover screen. Key design highlights include its remarkably thin and light profile, measuring as thin as 4.1mm unfolded and 8.8mm folded, and weighing from 217g. It comes in multiple colors, including a slightly lighter Ivory White version.
How does the Honor Magic V5 compare physically to its predecessor, the Magic V3?
The Honor Magic V5 represents a significant physical improvement over the Magic V3. The V5 is noticeably thinner and lighter across all variants. The lightest Magic V3 weighed 226g, while the V5 starts at 217g. In terms of thickness, the V3 measured 4.35mm unfolded and 9.2mm folded, whereas the V5 is as thin as 4.1mm unfolded and 8.8mm folded. Despite these reduced dimensions, the Magic V5 manages to pack a larger battery (5,820 mAh vs. 5,150 mAh).
What items are included in the box when you purchase the Honor Magic V5?
The standard retail packaging for the Honor Magic V5 includes the foldable smartphone itself, a 66W fast charger, and a USB A-to-C cable for charging and data transfer. Additionally, Honor provides a protective case designed to cover the rear and hinge of the phone. This case is practical, featuring a built-in ring that doubles as a kickstand, adding functional value right out of the box.
Conclusion
The Honor Magic V5 arrives as a compelling evolution in the foldable smartphone space. Its focus on achieving a thinner and lighter profile while simultaneously boosting battery capacity is a notable engineering feat, positioning it favorably against competitors and its own predecessor. The inclusion of a top-tier Snapdragon chipset and ample memory promises powerful performance for demanding tasks. The unboxing reveals practical accessories like a fast charger and a thoughtful case with a built-in kickstand, adding value to the initial user experience. With confirmed large displays and rumored high-resolution cameras, the Magic V5 is poised to be a significant contender. This initial hands-on provides an exciting glimpse, and we look forward to putting the Honor Magic V5 through our full suite of tests for a complete performance and user experience review.
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