Verdict
The HONOR Magic V5 is one of the most technically impressive book-style foldables available. It delivers class-leading thinness without sacrificing battery or camera hardware, though Samsung still offers a more mature ecosystem and broader support in many markets.
The HONOR Magic V5 demonstrates how quickly foldable hardware has evolved. It keeps the extremely thin design philosophy of the Magic V3 but adds a larger 5,820mAh battery and Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, removing the idea that a slim foldable must compromise heavily on endurance or speed.
Both displays are premium LTPO OLED panels: a 7.95-inch inner screen and 6.43-inch cover display, each running at up to 120Hz. HONOR also includes 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, making the battery package considerably more ambitious than Samsung’s Fold line.
The cameras are equally serious. A 50MP main and 50MP ultrawide are joined by a 64MP 3x periscope, giving the phone useful reach without relying entirely on digital zoom. That matters because premium foldables increasingly need to compete with conventional flagships in photography, not just screen size.
Samsung still has advantages in software maturity, accessories and global service infrastructure. MagicOS is capable, but One UI remains the benchmark for foldable multitasking. Even so, the Magic V5 is a hardware showcase: thin, powerful, long-lasting and far less compromised than foldables used to be.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely thin premium foldable design
- Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
- Large 5,820mAh battery
- Excellent 7.95-inch and 6.43-inch displays
- 64MP 3x periscope telephoto
- 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
Cons
- Very expensive
- MagicOS is not as mature as Samsung One UI for foldables
- Availability varies
- Repair and accessory ecosystem is smaller in some markets
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Magic V5 improve on the Magic V3?
It adds newer Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, a larger battery and upgraded camera hardware while retaining an exceptionally thin foldable design.
Does the Magic V5 support wireless charging?
Yes. It supports up to 50W HONOR Wireless SuperCharge.
What is the Magic V5’s biggest competitive advantage?
Its combination of very thin hardware, large battery capacity and a real periscope camera is unusually strong for a foldable.