Honor Magic V5: World’s Thinnest Foldable. Photo Credit: Honor
Honor has officially launched the Magic V5, reclaiming the title of the world’s thinnest foldable smartphone. Introduced first in China on July 2, this next-generation foldable emphasizes ultra-slim design, a significantly larger battery, a high-end telephoto camera, and improved performance. But does the sleek form factor come at a cost? Here’s everything you need to know about Honor’s latest flagship foldable.
Ultra-Thin Design – Record-Breaking Form Factor
The Honor Magic V5 is just 8.8 mm thick when folded, narrowly beating the Oppo Find N5 by 0.1 mm. However, this record only applies to the Ivory White color variant; the Black, Gold, and Brown versions are slightly thicker at 9 mm. When unfolded, the V5 is just 4.1 mm thin, making it the slimmest book-style foldable yet.
The device weighs around 217 grams, making it one of the lightest in its category. However, the prominent triple-camera bump—nearly as thick as the folded side itself—contradicts the phone’s slim design narrative, and may be a usability concern for some.
Bigger Battery and Faster Charging
One of the V5’s most notable achievements is its silicon-carbon battery technology. The top-tier model includes a 6,100 mAh battery, while other variants have a 5,820 mAh capacity. This new battery uses 25% silicon content, which boosts energy density while maintaining a slim structure.
Charging is also fast and efficient, supporting 66W wired and 50W wireless charging. Thanks to its ultra-thin composite structure, the battery remains only 0.18 mm thick, fitting seamlessly into the V5’s sleek body.
Performance and Display
The Magic V5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and comes with up to 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. It runs on Android 15 with the updated MagicOS 9.0.1, delivering a fast, fluid experience.
The device features two OLED displays:
- Main display: 7.95-inch 2K OLED with 120 Hz refresh rate, 5,000 nits peak brightness, and advanced 4,320 Hz PWM dimming for eye comfort.
- Cover display: 6.45-inch LTPO OLED, also supporting 120 Hz refresh rate and vivid color output.
Both displays support DCI-P3 color gamut and feature IP58/IP59 ratings for dust and water resistance.
Flagship-Level Camera System
The Honor Magic V5 boasts an upgraded triple-camera setup:
- Main camera: 50 MP, f/1.6
- Ultra-wide: 50 MP, f/2.0
- Telephoto: 64 MP periscope lens with 3x optical zoom and laser autofocus
The phone also includes 20 MP selfie cameras on both the inner and outer screens. The telephoto lens is particularly impressive for a foldable and positions the Magic V5 as a photography-focused device in its category. However, this also contributes to the pronounced camera bump.
AI Features and Smart Software
Honor’s proprietary AI assistant YOYO adds smart multitasking capabilities, allowing users to summarize content, share files across devices, and integrate productivity tools—all on-device, minimizing cloud dependency.
Software features include motion-sickness reduction, eye-care display technology, and PC-like office integration. These features are aimed at productivity users who want a device that balances flexibility with functionality.
Pricing and Global Availability
In China, pricing starts at approximately CNY 8,999 (roughly USD 1,250) for the base 12 GB/256 GB variant. The top-tier model with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage costs CNY 10,999 (about USD 1,530).
A global release is expected later in 2025, likely around the IFA Berlin tech event. Meanwhile, early adopters may find imported units available online, though without official global software support.
Final Verdict
The Honor Magic V5 pushes the boundaries of foldable phone design with its ultra-thin profile, powerful internals, massive battery, and advanced camera system. It’s a strong contender for the best foldable of 2025—especially for users who prioritize cutting-edge design and top-tier performance.
However, potential buyers should be aware of the trade-offs. The camera bump disrupts the otherwise sleek design, and its durability will be tested over time. Moreover, until global software support is finalized, international users may face compatibility limitations.
Still, if Honor delivers on build quality and software optimization, the Magic V5 could set a new standard for what foldables can achieve.
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