In the world of foldables, where phones are either clunky or crazy expensive, or both, HONOR has boldly dropped the Magic V5, and it’s making waves not just for what it is, but for how slim it is.
We got our hands on one, and here’s the verdict: it’s sleek, smart, and surprisingly practical. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s unfold the truth (pun intended).
First impressions: “Wait, this is a foldable?”
At just 8.8mm thick when folded and 4.1mm when opened, the Magic V5 feels more like a premium slab phone than a foldable.
Weighing only 217g, it’s the lightest device in its class, made possible thanks to aerospace-grade fibre and HONOR’s AI-driven manufacturing.
It’s so sleek, you’ll forget you’re holding a foldable… until you unfold it and wow. Whether we were slipping it into jeans, holding it up on the MRT, or opening it one-handed to take a quick note, it was fluid, natural, and surprisingly light.
Even when we unfolded it, there was zero awkwardness. No weird creakiness, no feeling like it might snap in half. It opened smoothly, stayed firm, and when we placed it down on a table, it didn’t feel like we were handling fragile glassware.
Multitasking has never been easier & supported by AI
Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the Magic V5 breezes through tasks like a flagship should.
It’s backed by 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, ensuring snappy performance with zero lag. And thanks to HONOR’s own E2 Power Enhanced Chip, it stays cool even during long usage periods.
We used the Magic V5 as our daily driver for a week, juggling WhatsApp, Chrome, camera, YouTube, Lightroom, and the occasional Mobile Legends match, and not once did it stutter.
The best part? Three Split Screen multitasking. Plan trips on one screen, compare prices on another, and chat with your friend who’s judging your hotel choices, all at the same time.
It even integrates with Gemini Live AI, letting you get real-time suggestions, transcriptions, or even identify groceries with your camera.
Battery-wise, we were skeptical at first. But the 5,820mAh cell lasted through a full day of work, social scrolling, video playback, and late-night Reddit doomscrolling, all on a single charge.
When we finally did plug it in, the 66W fast charging had it juiced up in under an hour. No complaints.
Display that’s a treat for your eyes
The outer 6.43-inch LTPO OLED display is slim, tall, and fits nicely in one hand. Finally, a cover screen that feels natural to use.
Unfold it, and you’re greeted with a 7.95-inch inner display that’s immersive and surprisingly almost crease-free.
Well, to be honest, the crease is there, but it’s barely noticeable. In normal use, especially when watching videos, reading articles or typing out emails, we almost forgot it existed.
Both the outer and inner displays were buttery smooth, vivid, and comfortably bright, even under blazing Malaysian sun.
The 5,000 nits of peak brightness really came through when we were outdoors, and the 4,320Hz PWM dimming was gentle on our eyes during late-night Netflix binges.
Even gaming felt great on the big screen. No overheating, no lag. Just pure, immersive display real estate, something slab phones can’t match.
In short, it’s a screen you’ll actually want to use for work and play and not just for showing off.
Overachieving camera
We’ll admit, we didn’t expect much from a foldable camera system. But the Magic V5 shut us up real quick.
The 64MP periscope telephoto camera gave us crisp, stable zoom shots even at 10x. Sure, 100x is more of a party trick, but it still managed to impress. The main and ultrawide 50MP lenses delivered consistently sharp, well-exposed photos.
What stood out most was the AI. The AI Super Zoom and AI Motion Capture made it feel like the phone knew what we were trying to do, even before we did it. Editing photos was a breeze too.
The built-in AI Eraser and AI Cutout tools were genuinely useful, not gimmicks. We removed photobombers and even cleaned up messy backgrounds in a few taps.
However, we noticed that the AI occasionally goes a bit too hard on the skin-smoothing and sharpening, as some photos ended up looking like they were taken in a K-drama filter factory.
Built to last and backed by peace of mind
We’ve dropped enough phones in our lives so durability was naturally a huge concern. But after a few days of tossing it into bags, opening and closing it over and over, and yes, even surviving an accidental drop onto tile, it earned our trust.
The outer display is guarded by HONOR’s upgraded NanoCrystal Shield, which easily shrugged off keys and pocket grit.
Inside, the screen is reinforced by a triple-layer structure, including a Non-Newtonian fluid layer that absorbs shock better than expected.
What really impressed us, though, was the AI-powered sensor that alerts you if tiny particles like sand sneak in when the phone is folded. It’s a small thing, but it shows how much thought went into the device’s longevity.
Even the hinge feels solid and confident, rated to withstand 500,000 folds, which works out to 100 folds a day for over 13 years. Pair that with an IP58/IP59 rating for dust and water resistance, and this isn’t a foldable you’ll feel nervous about using every day.
But HONOR doesn’t just build it tough, they back it up too. Every pre-order comes with a Worry-Free 1-Year Crack Protection and a 2-Year Quality Assurance plan, which genuinely adds peace of mind.
If you’re new to foldables and worried about the risks, this is the kind of reassurance that makes the leap a lot easier to justify.
iOS & macOS sharing made easy
Switching from iPhone? No problem. You can now clone your iCloud to the Magic V5 with just a few taps, contacts, photos, messages, the whole shebang.
And with the HONOR Connect app for Apple devices, file sharing between iOS, macOS, and Magic V5 is faster than ever. It’s cross-platform convenience without the usual Android headaches.
Read more about how it works here.
So… how much does all this cost?
For all its bells and whistles, the HONOR Magic V5 still holds steady at RM6,999, the same price as its predecessor. That alone would be impressive, but HONOR goes a step further.
Pre-orders (open until July 24) come bundled with free gifts worth RM3,497, including a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 speaker, HONOR CHOICE Earbuds Clip, and full protection plans — a 1-Year Crack Protection and 2-Year Quality Assurance.
Trade in any old phone, tablet or laptop and you’ll get an extra RM400 rebate. And if you’re not looking to drop 7k in one go, HONOR’s 24-month 0% interest plan brings the monthly payment down to RM292.
Available across HONOR’s official website, Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and major retail stores like Senheng, Urban Republic, and Harvey Norman, the Magic V5 is now as accessible as it is advanced.
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