HONOR Magic V5 released!
HONOR has now released its successor, the Magic V5. The smartphone is even thinner than the Magic V3 and has also been further improved on the hardware side. You can find all the information about the device in our News about the Magic V5.
Surprisingly inconspicuous when folded
When folded, the Magic V3 is surprisingly unobtrusive. It sits comfortably in the hand, fits in any pocket, and at approximately 226 g and 9,2 mm thick, it feels barely different from a conventional high-end device. I didn't have to get used to it, and that alone is a good sign. It was just there, within easy reach, uncomplicated.
At 6,43 inches, the external display is large enough for almost anything. I wrote messages, scrolled through feeds, used maps, and responded to emails without ever opening the device. All of this happened on the external screen. The display is bright, sharp, and color-coordinated. In everyday use, you'd easily forget it could do much more.
Opened like a small tablet
Of course, I also used the V3 unfolded. The folding mechanism works smoothly and comfortably. There's no resistance, no creaking, and no insecure feeling when opening. HONOR has continually optimized its folding mechanism over the years, and in the V3, it already seems advanced and well-thought-out and durable.
The internal screen measures 7,92 inches and, when opened, feels almost like a small tablet. Reading the daily newspaper on the train or watching an episode in bed at night—just for that reason alone, it's worth having the large screen with you at all times. I didn't use the large display all the time, but it was always within reach when I needed more space. That's exactly what makes the difference. No separate device, no additional screen, just more surface area when you need it.
The crease in the middle, by the way, is barely visible. You can see it when light hits it at an angle. During normal use, it fades into the background. Even with your finger, you can barely feel it, so I never felt like I was wiping over an annoying edge.
High-end hardware
Inside is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, along with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. Games and apps run smoothly, even when multitasking or after extended use.
Making phone calls, navigating, and everything else you'd normally do with a high-end smartphone works seamlessly with the V3. HONOR has integrated the fingerprint scanner into the side of the power button. While it's not quite as stylish as the one on the display, it does the job.
Even the battery, which is often smaller in foldable devices, reaches an impressive 5.150 mAh. This is easily enough for a day's battery life in most cases. Those who frequently use the large screen will naturally consume slightly more battery. Fast charging is possible with up to 66 watts wired or 50 watts wireless.
The HONOR Magic V3 now runs MagicOS 9, based on Android 15. The interface is clean, fast, and offers many practical features. In everyday use, everything feels stable and well-developed. Apps launch quickly, switching between the external and internal displays works smoothly, and multitasking on the large screen also feels well-designed.
Two apps side by side, with a floating window above them, works easily and seamlessly. Good software is especially crucial for foldable devices, so the large screen doesn't feel like a gimmick.
HONOR has made noticeable improvements here. MagicOS 9 feels more coherent than previous versions without being overloaded. Regarding its update policy, HONOR is generally on the right track with five years of security updates and four years of Android upgrades. The EU now requires smartphones to be provided with updates for at least five years anyway.
Solid camera
The HONOR Magic V3 is equipped with a triple camera setup. The main camera has a 50 MP resolution and features optical image stabilization. There's also a 40 MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 50 MP telephoto lens with XNUMXx optical zoom. While this sounds impressive on paper, the camera is solid in practice, but it doesn't quite match the standards of current flagships.
In daylight, the main camera delivers sharp, natural-looking photos with good dynamic range. The ultra-wide-angle lens is useful for landscapes or group shots, but the quality is somewhat weaker. The telephoto lens produces decent zoom shots in sufficient light, but noticeably loses sharpness in low light.
At night, you notice that the camera isn't in the top league. While the night mode still delivers a lot, fine details are lost more quickly. The quality is still sufficient for everyday photos, stories, and spontaneous moments.
A real plus is the camera's interaction with the foldable design. The device can be positioned halfway, opening up new possibilities, especially for group photos, time-lapse photography, or selfies without a tripod.
