When we thought we'd seen it all in the world of foldable smartphones, Honor makes a bold move with its new flagship: the Magic V5. This device not only stands out for its ultrathin design —which positions it as the thinnest in its category worldwide— but also comes equipped with a camera system that, frankly, leaves little room for competition.
In a market saturated with innovations that often feel forced or repetitive, the Magic V5 breaks the mold with a proposition that balances elegance, power, and high-level photography. It's not just about how slim it is (which it is, and a lot), but about how it manages to keep that lightness without compromising key aspects such as battery life, performance, or the photography experience.
In this review we will go beyond the specs on paper. We'll tell you how it feels in the hand, how it performs day to day and, above all, how well its camera system responds in real conditions. Because one thing is reading numbers and another very different thing is capturing moments. Is the Honor Magic V5 ready to lead the new generation of foldables? Let's find out.
Ultrathin and functional design: the foldable that changes the rules of the game?
Before talking about the design itself, it's worth stopping at a detail that is often overlooked: the presentation. The box of the new Honor Magic V5 surprises with its generous size, a logical consequence of the book-style foldable format. When opened, you find the usual accessories: a USB-C to USB-C cable, the SIM tool, and a protective case for the back of the device. That said, the charger is not included, although Honor compensates by freely offering a 66 W charger through its official website.
Now, let's get to the really interesting part: the user experience, both with and without the case. This accessory, though discreet, becomes almost indispensable for two very concrete reasons. First, because the main sensor —located in a generous camera module— protrudes noticeably. Something understandable given the extreme thinness of this foldable, thinner than its predecessor, the Magic V3, and the inclusion of a camera with an ultra-wide lens and a periscope zoom. Second, because the case incorporates a very useful retractable ring, ideal for holding the phone both closed and open while we view multimedia content.
The exterior display already comes with a preinstalled plastic protector, but if you’re seeking maximum security, it's not a bad idea to add a tempered glass. Using the new Honor Magic V5 without a case allows appreciating better the build quality: premium materials, a soft touch and surprisingly ergonomic. With its 8.8 mm thickness in closed format, it handles like any conventional high-end device. That said, its weight of 217 grams can be noticeable in long sessions, especially due to the slight imbalance of the camera module.
When you open the device, what most impacts is how thin it is: just 4.1 mm. This profile makes it one of the thinnest book-style mobiles ever built. That said, opening it requires some practice, as the edges are extremely thin and it’s hard to find the ideal grip point. Fortunately, the hinge is solid, conveys confidence, and is well integrated into the design.
Regarding security, it includes both 2D facial recognition and a lateral fingerprint reader. The latter is capacitive, very fast and accurate, although it might have been more comfortable if it were slightly lower.
Another interesting aspect is the improvement in protection: the Magic V5 has IP58 certification, implying dust and water resistance, surpassing the previous foldable with IPX8 certification. And yes, for those who still value classic features, the infrared port is retained, ideal for controlling TVs, air conditioners or any other compatible wireless device.
Two screens, one experience: brightness, fluidity and comfort in any format
If there's one element that defines the Honor Magic V5 foldable smartphone, besides being as thin as a pencil, it is its displays. If thickness is the calling card, the two screens — external and internal — are the soul of the device. This book-style mobile not only aims to stand out for its design but also to offer a visual experience that rivals any high-end smartphone, even against traditional models.
We start with the external screen, a 6.43-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 2,376 x 1,060 pixels and a density of 404 ppi. Its form factor, though elongated, is comfortable for everyday tasks. Unlike what early Galaxy Z or Samsung Galaxy Fold offered, where the outer screen was secondary, here it becomes the central axis of daily use.
The design is asymmetrical: the left side is thicker due to the hinge, while the right curves subtly toward the aluminum frame. In terms of interaction, swiping from any edge is smooth, and the auto-brightness performs with great precision in all lighting conditions.
Now, the real impact comes when unfolding the device. The interior 7.95-inch AMOLED display, with a resolution of 2,352 x 2,172 pixels, is almost square and offers an ideal surface for multitasking, reading and multimedia content. Despite its plastic coating — common in foldables — the peak brightness of 5,000 nits ensures visibility more than adequate, even under the sun.
This screen also incorporates LTPO technology, which intelligently adjusts the refresh rate between 1 Hz and 120 Hz, allowing more efficient use of the 5,820 mAh battery. This detail is key, especially if you spend hours watching videos or switching between open apps.
Regarding compatibility, some apps like YouTube, Instagram, or even browsers, adapt very well to the internal screen format. Others still show certain limitations, but Honor's hardware and software system allows forcing different display modes from the settings.
Thanks to the support included in the case, you can use the phone as a small tablet anywhere in the house. Ideal for watching series, checking recipes, or working without depending on external stands.
Power to spare, though with some heat: performance that doesn't disappoint in the Honor Magic V5
Regarding performance, the Honor Magic V5 with Snapdragon 8 Elite plays in the big leagues. The brand hasn't skimped and has included the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 "Elite", one of the most powerful chips in the current Android ecosystem. We're talking about a 3-nanometer processor, with an eight-core architecture that combines two high-performance cores at 4.32 GHz with six efficiency-focused cores at 3.53 GHz. All this is paired with the Adreno 830 GPU and no less than 16 GB of RAM.
The result? Total fluidity, no matter what task you put in front of it. From demanding games to advanced multitasking or video editing, the Magic V5 with a 50 MP main camera and a 10 Pro telephoto lens responds smoothly. The operating system is well optimized, and you can notice it from the first moment: smooth transitions, fast app loading, and excellent performance even with multiple apps open at the same time.
In addition, the performance in file transfers is also notable, thanks to a very fast internal memory. Whether moving data within the device itself or copying to external storage, the process is fast and glitch-free.
Now, not everything is perfect. When pushed to the maximum, the device tends to heat up, especially during prolonged gaming sessions or during 4K video recording at 60 fps. Temperature also rises when using digital zoom beyond 30x, where AI processing comes into play.
This does not imply serious overheating problems, but it does make clear that the ultrathin design (at barely 4.1 mm thick when open) limits thermal dissipation. In prolonged stress tests, you can observe some sustained performance drop, something common in such compact devices.
However, in daily use —browsing, social networks, productivity or casual gaming— the Magic V5 stays cool and agile. Even under high ambient heat, the overall behavior has been stable and without throttling symptoms that affect the user experience.
Android 15 in the shadows: the system is transformed by Honor's layer
Software is one of the silent pillars in foldables, and in the case of the Honor Magic V5, you can tell the brand has paid special attention to this part. Although the base system is Android 15, Honor OS 9 transforms the experience completely, to the point that it's easy to forget we're using such a recent version of Android.
Honor's customization goes beyond the visual aspect. There are exclusive features, gesture shortcuts, applied AI, and an ecosystem that feels increasingly complete. If you're coming from a conventional Android, at first it may seem a bit overwhelming, but after a few minutes exploring the menus, you realize everything is there for a reason.
One of the jewels of the experience is multitasking management. On the inner screen, you can swipe up from the bottom edge to launch another app and place it on one side. It's possible to have split screen, floating windows, and even keep YouTube in floating mode while browsing or replying to messages. There is a configurable side quick-access bar, accessible also from the outer screen, that lets you open favorite apps in seconds.
As for smart tools, there are several that surprise. For example, the ability to knuckle-tap a part of the screen to share, search, or capture specific content. This feature, though already present in earlier versions, remains handy and fast. A deepfake detection system in video calls has also been integrated, and on-screen text recognition features powered by AI.
That said, although the system is fluid and stable, it is not free from duplications. Honor includes many of its own apps —such as Gallery, Calendar, or File Manager— that do basically the same as Google's, which can feel redundant for some users. At least, all work well and don't cause conflicts.
Conclusion: a foldable that has (almost) everything
The Honor Magic V5 is not just a natural evolution within the brand's lineup; it's a statement of intent. With its exceptionally slim design, top-tier materials and an outstanding set of displays, it positions itself as one of the most balanced — and desirable — foldables on the current market.
In daily use, it offers more than enough performance for any task, thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite and a generous RAM. Its operating system, though highly customized, proves to be designed to fully leverage the foldable format, especially with multitasking and smart features well implemented.
The cameras, which we'll see in more detail in another section, are also a strong point that isn't usually a priority in this kind of device, but here they stand out. And while heat can be noticeable during very intensive use, it doesn't significantly affect the overall experience.
Ultimately, the Honor Magic V5 not only enters the conversation of the best foldables of the year, but sets the pace for those seeking a versatile, powerful device with a premium experience in every sense.
It's not perfect, but it comes very close. And it does so with style.