Honor’s slim Magic V5 foldable is fun to use, minus the huge camera bump

In the competitive landscape of foldable smartphones, manufacturers are vying for the title of the slimmest device, and Honor is making a strong claim with its Magic V5, boasting a folded thickness of just 8.8mm. However, this sleek design comes with a significant drawback: a pronounced camera bump that can make handling the phone uncomfortable. The thin profile feels great when held properly, but adjusting to the camera bump can take some time. When placed on a flat surface, the phone creates a noticeable slant, which can be distracting when using it in its unfolded state. While the frame measures a mere 4.1mm when opened, it still presents challenges compared to competitors like Oppo’s Find N5 and Huawei’s triple-folding phone. Under the hood, the Magic V5 is equipped with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The front features a 6.43-inch display with a resolution of 2376 x 1060, while the unfolded screen stretches to 7.95 inches with a resolution of 2172 x 2352. Honor has incorporated a carbon fiber-reinforced inner panel for enhanced durability and has applied an anti-scratch material that has kept both displays looking pristine. With a peak brightness of 5,000 nits, the screen is incredibly vibrant, making activities like reading and gaming enjoyable. The device also supports LTPO technology, allowing for a dynamic refresh rate that ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, enhancing the scrolling experience across various applications. However, some users may find that certain games, like “Diablo Immortal,” do not perform optimally on the main display, necessitating a switch to the front screen. The build quality is robust, with IP58 and IP59 ratings for dust and water resistance. The folding hinge, utilizing the second-generation Honor Super Steel mechanism, provided a solid feel throughout the week of testing. The Magic V5 houses an impressive 5,820mAh battery, easily lasting a full day even with extensive use and gaming. It supports 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, with Honor including a 66W charger in the box that enables rapid charging from 0 to 50% in just 16 minutes. Camera capabilities include a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 64MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. There are also dual 20MP selfie cameras for both screens. The photo quality is generally good, although some images showed an overemphasis on red tones in certain lighting conditions. The camera features a super macro mode for detailed close-ups and incorporates AI technologies for enhanced zoom capabilities. However, results may vary, and some AI-generated images can appear unnatural. The device includes numerous AI editing features, such as an AI eraser for removing unwanted elements from photos and an AI cutout tool for repositioning objects. Although these tools are innovative, they are not always flawless, sometimes leaving behind artifacts. Running on MagicOS 9, based on Android 15, the interface is user-friendly but includes some pre-installed apps that may seem unnecessary. An interesting feature is the on-device call translation tool that supports multiple languages, delivering impressive results during testing. The Honor Magic V5 is set to launch in Europe, APAC, and the Middle East, with a starting price of £1,699.99/€1,999 for the 512GB version. While it may not dethrone Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7, it offers an appealing alternative for those interested in foldable technology, potentially boosting Honor's market presence in this segment.