Honor Magic V5 Review: Samsung's Foldable Formula Cracked

Honor has achieved what seemed impossible: creating a foldable smartphone that matches Samsung's best whilst being remarkably thin. The Magic V5 combines the convenience of a regular 6.4-inch phone with the expansiveness of a 7.95-inch tablet, all in an ultra-thin package.

Revolutionary Thinness

The Honor Magic V5 measures just 9.0mm when folded according to Honor's specifications, though independent testing revealed slightly higher measurements of 9.38-9.55mm. These measurements exclude the protective film, which Honor notes in fine print. Regardless, the device remains impressively thin – especially considering Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm.

The white variant promises even greater slimness at 8.8mm, potentially making it the thinnest foldable available. However, the camera block tells a different story: protruding nearly 7mm, it dominates the rear profile and causes wobbling when placed flat.

Build Quality and Materials

Despite its thinness, the Magic V5 feels solid. The titanium hinge operates smoothly without creaking or grinding, inspiring confidence in long-term durability. The aluminium frame and glass construction feel premium, whilst the 222-gram weight, though heavier than Samsung's 215-gram Fold 7, remains manageable.

Water Resistance: IP59 Explained

The IP59 rating represents an interesting specification. The '5' indicates protection against dust particles above 1mm (not full dust-proofing), whilst the '9' denotes resistance to high-pressure water jets and steam cleaning. Whilst we wouldn't recommend taking a pressure washer to your phone, this rating suggests superior water resistance compared to Samsung's IP68 – though IP68's complete dust protection offers advantages.

Practical reality: Both phones survive rainstorms and washbasin accidents, but beach trips remain risky. Most beach sand consists of particles smaller than 1mm, potentially damaging the intricate folding mechanism.

Dual Display System

The Magic V5 features two high-quality OLED displays:

External Display (6.4 inches):

• Functions like a conventional smartphone
• 2520 x 1080 resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Perfect for quick tasks and one-handed use

Internal Display (7.95 inches):

• Transforms the device into a mini-tablet
• 2376 x 2152 resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Ideal for multitasking, media consumption, and productivity

Display Quality: Claims vs Reality

Honor claims 5000 nits peak brightness for the internal display – an impressive figure. However, independent laboratory testing revealed significantly lower values:

• 1689 cd/m² in HDR mode
• 1283 cd/m² in standard content

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 achieved up to 2570 cd/m² using the same testing methodology. The discrepancy doesn't necessarily indicate dishonesty; Honor may achieve peak brightness in smaller display areas. Nonetheless, in bright sunlight, the protective film causes increased reflectivity, making both foldables less readable than conventional flagship phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Folding Display Crease

Like all current foldables, a crease remains visible where the display folds. After extended use, this becomes less noticeable, though it's always present to touch. The protective film, essential for display longevity, cannot be removed without voiding warranty.

Triple Camera System

Honor significantly upgraded the Magic V5's cameras compared to the V3:

Main Camera (50MP, f/1.6):

• Excellent detail and dynamic range
• Strong low-light performance
• Beats Galaxy Z Fold 7 in daylight scenarios

Ultra-Wide Camera (50MP, f/2.0):

• Substantially improved from V3's sensor
• Captures expansive scenes with minimal distortion
• Good colour accuracy

Telephoto Camera (64MP, 3x optical zoom, f/2.6):

• The star performer
• Reduced from 5x to 3x optical zoom versus V3
• However, higher megapixel count delivers superior quality at moderate zoom levels
• Excellent detail at 4x zoom
• Outperforms Samsung's 10MP telephoto significantly

Camera Weaknesses

Low-light photography represents the Magic V5's Achilles heel. Compared to both the Magic V3 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, the V5 produces noisier images with less detail in challenging lighting. This puzzling regression suggests software optimisation issues rather than hardware limitations.

The Camera Block Problem

The 6.7mm protruding camera block creates practical issues. Whilst flagship smartphones increasingly feature prominent camera bumps, the Magic V5's ultra-thin profile accentuates the problem. When placed unfolded on a surface, the device wobbles considerably – frustrating for photography or video calls.

Snapdragon 8 Elite: Flagship Power

Both the Magic V5 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 utilise Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, delivering exceptional performance:

• Effortless multitasking on the large internal display
• Console-quality gaming performance
• Instant app launching
• Smooth UI animations even with multiple windows

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 Leadership

The Magic V5 features Wi-Fi 7 support, offering blazing-fast wireless speeds where compatible networks exist. 5G connectivity ensures excellent mobile data performance, whilst Bluetooth 5.4 handles wireless accessories efficiently.

Dual SIM Flexibility

Dual SIM support accommodates both physical nano-SIM and eSIM, offering flexibility for international travellers or users managing work and personal numbers. Samsung offers additional flexibility by supporting two eSIMs simultaneously.

Desktop Mode

Like Samsung's DeX, Honor's desktop mode transforms the phone into a PC-like experience when connected to an external display. Testing revealed smooth operation, responsive performance, and proper window management. Combined with the optional Magic Pen stylus, this feature enhances productivity significantly.

Massive Battery, Moderate Longevity

Despite the impressive 5820mAh battery capacity, the Magic V5 achieved 9 hours 56 minutes in standardised testing – a significant improvement over the Magic V3's 8 hours 43 minutes, but falling short of the Galaxy Z Fold 7's 10 hours 24 minutes.

This puzzling result suggests Samsung's superior software optimisation. Both devices use identical processors and similar display sizes, yet Samsung extracts greater efficiency. The larger battery doesn't guarantee longer runtime.

Charging: Honor's Victory

Here, Honor dominates decisively. 66W fast charging delivers:

• 36% charge in 15 minutes
• Full charge in approximately 45 minutes

Samsung's 25W charging feels positively leisurely by comparison:

• 24% charge in 15 minutes
• Full charge requires over 90 minutes

For users frequently caught with low batteries, Honor's charging advantage proves invaluable. The absence of wireless charging, however, may disappoint some users.

Unlike Samsung's decision to remove S Pen support from the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Honor continues offering stylus compatibility. The optional Magic Pen provides:

• Precise input for note-taking and drawing
• Pressure sensitivity for natural writing feel
• Enhanced productivity for business users

This represents a genuine advantage for users who value stylus input, particularly as Samsung abandoned this feature on their latest foldable.

Pricing and Competition

The Honor Magic V5 positions itself as a premium foldable competing directly with Samsung's flagship. Whilst pricing varies by market and configuration, Honor typically undercuts Samsung slightly, offering compelling value for specification.

Honor vs Samsung: The Verdict

Choose Honor Magic V5 if you want:

• Superior telephoto camera performance
• Much faster charging (66W vs 25W)
• Stylus support
• Slightly thinner profile (depending on measurement method)

Choose Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 if you want:

• Longer battery life
• Brighter display
• Better low-light photography
• More established ecosystem and longer software support

The Honor Magic V5 achieves something remarkable: it cracks Samsung's foldable formula. For years, Samsung dominated through a combination of refined hardware and mature software. Honor now matches this across most metrics whilst exceeding it in specific areas.

The camera system, particularly the telephoto, delivers outstanding results in good light. The 66W charging eliminates range anxiety. The ultra-thin construction proves foldables needn't feel bulky. Desktop mode and stylus support enhance productivity.

Weaknesses remain: battery life disappoints given the massive capacity, low-light photography needs improvement, and the camera block creates unwelcome bulk. The foldable display, whilst impressive, still demands more care than conventional phones.

In testing, the Magic V5 scored 1.409 ("very good"), narrowly edging the Galaxy Z Fold 7's 1.449 – a testament to how far Honor has progressed. For users seeking the best foldable experience, the choice now depends on specific priorities rather than overall superiority. Samsung's era of unchallenged foldable dominance has ended.