Honor Magic V5 – Review

Honor has simply introduced its new folding flagship for 2025. I used to be lucky sufficient to have been ready to make use of this system for the final month or so, and now it’s time for me to share my ideas on the model new Honor Magic V5 folding cellphone.
So, with out additional ado, let’s leap in!

The primary place I need to begin is by referring you to the unboxing video I launched simply over a month in the past. In that video, I took you on a tour of the {hardware} and unboxed the system. Whereas some info within the video was not absolutely revealed, it nonetheless offers helpful particulars concerning the system.
Earlier than we dive into the tour and discover the finer particulars of the design, I like to recommend taking a fast have a look at the unboxing article I wrote.

Design

Now, let’s delve deeper into the design of the Honor Magic V5.
One of many first issues I need to point out is how extremely skinny this cellphone is. The color I’ve is Daybreak Gold, which isn’t the thinnest model of the cellphone. If you happen to’re in search of the thinnest model, you’ll want to think about the Arctic White variant. This model measures 8.8 mm when folded and 4.1 mm when unfolded, leaving barely sufficient room for the USB-C port. Weight clever it are available in at staggeringly low 217g within the Ivory White model with the Daybreak Gold and lack model a tiny bit heavier at 227g not you could actually discover.
The gold variant I’ve is barely thicker, measuring 9 millimetres unfolded however lower than 4.2 millimetres when unfolded. Which means the cellphone looks like a daily sweet bar when utilized in its folded state.
For instance, I’ve a photograph beneath of the Honor Magic V5 subsequent to the iPhone 15 Professional Max. You possibly can see how these telephones evaluate when it comes to thickness. It’s wonderful to see how Honor has managed to cram in two batteries and two screens into such a skinny type issue.

Each time I choose up the system, I’m barely awestruck by how skinny it feels. Nonetheless, I perceive that some individuals might imagine that thinness comes with fragility. Relaxation assured, I’ve had points with creaking, bending, flexing, or certainly, grinding from the all-important hinge mechanism. I’ll talk about these points in additional element later.

When utilizing this cellphone as my each day driver, I’ve taken it to varied environments, together with a latest vacation to Madeira. Because of its IP score of IP 58 and IP 59, I’ve only a few considerations about utilizing it in damp environments.
Though I haven’t truly carried out so but, I’m comfy taking this cellphone to the seashore. That is the primary time I’ve stated that about any folding cellphone I’ve used previously. I’ve used numerous forms of folding telephones through the years, together with each Pixel Fold gadgets and Samsung Z Fold gadgets. I’ve additionally been fortunate sufficient to make use of each Honor Magic V Fold system they’ve produced, with the Magic V5 being by far their greatest implementation of a folding cellphone but.

The outer show is similar measurement as most sweet bar telephones out there as we speak, making folding the cellphone a breeze. I can do every part I have to do with none points. After I want extra actual property, unfolding the cellphone is straightforward and easy, with a seamless transition from folded to unfolded.
As an added bonus, the Magic V5 is now the one new flagship folding cellphone out there within the UK that helps stylus enter utilizing the Honour Magic Stylus 2. It is a important distinction from the implementation Samsung had on the Z Fold line, as you would solely use the stylus on the interior, extra fragile show. Consequently, I barely used the stylus on the Z Fold once I owned it. With the Honor Magic V5, I can use the stylus on the outer show with none concern, because it’s a strong glass panel with the marginally softer plastic, glass composite panel on the interior show.

Insert pictures of Magic Stylus 

Transferring away from the show, let’s speak about buttons. One factor I seen with the Honor Magic V sequence, up till now, was the uneven placement of the quantity and energy buttons. The reasoning for this made sense on the time: you had the facility button on one aspect of the cellphone when unfolded, and the quantity button on the opposite, making a stepped backside impact when folded closed. This did permit for clear distinction between the bottoms when you adjusted to it, although.
Nonetheless, the proprietor has adopted a extra normal button placement for the Honor Magic V5. Now, we’ve the facility and quantity rocker positioned on the right-hand aspect of the cellphone, one above the opposite, which makes it simpler to transition from a extra conventional sweet bar format. As your muscle reminiscence is aware of the place to place your fingers, you possibly can carry out applicable actions as is the norm with foldable telephones. The facility button additionally doubles as a fingerprint reader, which I’ve discovered to be quick and efficient at scanning my fingerprints, with solely very uncommon failures. That is in all probability extra all the way down to me as I change telephones quite a bit, however I’m certain if I caught with utilizing the Magic V5 for a very long time, I’d minimise the misreads of the fingerprint sensor.

When holding the cellphone in my proper hand, I discover that my thumb naturally finds the facility key with ease. The buttons even have a pleasant reassuring click on to them, so you already know from haptic suggestions that you simply’ve pressed them appropriately. The identical can’t be stated for a number of the Honor Magic V5’s rivals.

Across the again of the cellphone, your color selection will make a distinction to how issues really feel. If you happen to select the Daybreak Gold model, like I’ve, you will have a textured golden end that also permits for some grip. If you happen to go together with the White model, you will have a again panel made from carbon filament, which I haven’t had the pleasure of feeling, however I’m assuming can be grippier nonetheless. So far as I do know, the Black end would be the most much like the gold design, however I haven’t had the possibility to carry one in my hand but.

The cellphone has a considerable digital camera module on the again. Initially, I wasn’t a fan as a result of it means the cellphone doesn’t relaxation flat when positioned on a floor. Nonetheless, over time, I’ve come to understand the advantages of getting such a big module. I actually just like the design of the digital camera modules round it. Honor has taken the time to present superb detailing to this spherical, making it feel and appear like an costly watch face. I additionally like that it’s centrally positioned alongside the Z axis, so while you place the cellphone on a flat floor and shut it, there’s no considerable wobble.
Sadly, the identical can’t be stated when the cellphone is open and folded. It is a byproduct of getting high-quality digital camera sensors in such a skinny system. The easy legal guidelines of physics dictate that these cameras have to be raised barely from the again panel to permit for the area wanted to attain the focal lengths we now demand from our smartphone cameras.
As a bonus, the proprietor features a protecting again cowl within the field. This color-matched cowl is made from PU leather-like materials and offers a pleasant diploma of safety for the digital camera island. It additionally has the additional benefit of together with some hinge safety that magnetically holds itself in place when the cellphone is closed.

 

I’ve discovered myself utilizing the cellphone with and with out the duvet, relying on what I used to be doing that day. After I was on vacation, I did use the duvet, and I did drop the cellphone on one event. Happily, the duvet was current, so the cellphone was largely unscathed. I did endure a slight scratch on the underside rail, subsequent to the USB-C port.
Nonetheless, it was merely beauty fortunately.

 

The Metallic aspect rails are made from chrome steel and subtly curved to supply a snug really feel and stop them from sticking into your palm when utilizing the cellphone, whether or not folded or unfolded.

The entrance glass is a hardened glass from Honor, an in-house developed glass. The display on the within can also be utilizing in-house developed, virtually stage know-how that enables the interior display to be harder than earlier generations. After a month of utilization, I haven’t had any marks on the interior show from each day use or particles when the cellphone is folded. A pleasant contact is that Honor’s inbuilt software program can detect one thing on the display while you’re making an attempt to fold the cellphone and can warn you. I’m unsure how that is carried out, however it’s a pleasant reassurance to maintain your interior show protected.

As talked about, the cellphone does have a really skinny USB-C port that hardly matches into the thickness of the aspect rail. Nonetheless, this USB-C port will help quick charging, together with Supercharger Normal, which might cost at as much as 80 watts when utilizing the suitable Honor Supercharge.
Sadly, this charger is just not included within the retail packaging. Nonetheless, I’d be very shocked if Honor didn’t supply a charger as a bundled accent when the cellphone is pre-ordered, as they’ve carried out with most of their flagship gadgets over latest years.
The final space I need to point out about design is the speaker placement. The Honor Magic V5 audio system are offset when the cellphone is unfolded, which is vital as a result of it offers a greater audio expertise while you maintain the cellphone in its unfolded place, because the probabilities of you overlaying one or each of the speaker grilles are minimised. That is totally different from the implementation of another producers. Observe. It’s now changing into extra frequent for speaker grills to be positioned on one aspect of the fold mechanism, as seen with the Oppo Discover N5, which I reviewed beforehand.

General, I’m very impressed with the design of the Honor Magic V5. I’ve been very joyful utilizing it as my each day driver. Nonetheless, once I returned to utilizing my Pixel 9 Professional Fold, I discovered that I miss the thinness of the Honor Magic V5.If you happen to’re in search of a skinny and modern folding cellphone, then the Honor Magic V5 positively must be in your checklist.

With that stated, let’s now have a look at the interior {hardware} and see what makes this cellphone actually particular.

Earlier than we get into the {hardware} lets check out the specs desk

 

Specs
Dimensions and Weight*
Peak	156.8 mm
Width	Folded: 74.3 mm Unfolded: 145.9 mm
Depth	Ivory White Model: Folded: 8.8 mm Unfolded: 4.1 mm Different Model: Folded: 9 mm Unfolded: 4.2 mm
Weight	Ivory White Model: Approx 217 g (together with the battery) Different Model: Approx. 222 g (together with the battery)
Show*
Inside display	7.95 inch
Exterior display	6.43 inch
Color	1.07 billion colors
Kind	Inside display: foldable OLED Exterior display: OLED
Eye Consolation Know-how	AI Defocus Show, 4320Hz PWM Flicker Free Dimming, Dynamic Dimming, Circadian Evening Show, Nature Tone Show
Decision	Inside display: 2352×2172 Pixels Exterior display: 2376×1060 Pixels
Gestures	Supported
Brightness	HDR Peak Brightness: 5000nits International Peak Brightness: Inside display 1300nits, Exterior display 1800nits
Display Glass Materials	Inside display: HONOR Tremendous Armoured Inside Display Exterior display: HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Protect
Processor
CPU Mannequin	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Cellular Platform
CPU Kind	Octa-core
CPU Dominant Frequency	2×Prime 4.32GHz+6×Efficiency 3.53GHz
GPU	Adreno 830
System
Working System	MagicOS 9.0.1 (Base on Android 15)
Reminiscence	16GB+512GB
Rear Digicam
Rear Digicam	50MP Extremely Large Digicam (f/2.0), 50MP Large Digicam (f/1.6, OIS), 64MP telephoto Lens Digicam (f/2.5, OIS)
Video Capturing	Help for 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Zoom Mode	Helps 3x optical zoom, 100x Digital zoom
Picture Decision	9216×6912 pixels
Video Decision	3840×2160 pixels
Rear Flashlight	Rear single LED flash
Seize Mode	AI Movement Sensing Seize, AI images, Tremendous Large Angle, Aperture, Multi-Video, Evening shot, Portrait mode, Photograph, Professional mode, Video, Panorama, Watermark, Scan Doc, HIGH-RES, Tremendous Macro, Seize smiles,Time-lapse, Timer, Film, Gradual-MO, Story, Mild Portray, HDR
Stabilisation Mode	EIS+OIS
Entrance Digicam
Entrance Digicam	20MP Large Digicam (f/2.2) (Inside display)
	20MP Large Digicam (f/2.2) (Exterior display)
Picture Decision	5120×3840 pixels
Video Decision	3840×2160 pixels
Video Capturing	Supported 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Seize Mode	Portrait, Watermark, Seize smiles, Mirror reflection, Timer, Evening, Gesture management
Face Recognition	Supported 2D face unlock
Battery
Capability	5820 mAh (typical worth), 5690 mAh (rated worth)
Kind	Lithium polymer battery
Wired Charging	66W HONOR SuperCharge The cellphone helps as much as 20V/3.3A SuperCharge, appropriate with 11V/3.2A or 5V/2A.
Wi-fi Charging	50W Wi-fi HONOR SuperCharge
Water and Mud Resistance	IP58&IP59
Mobile Community
Community Normal	5G(NR)/4G (LTE TDD/LTE FDD)/3G (WCDMA)/2G (GSM)
SIM Card	SIM1+SIM2 / SIM1+eSIM / eSIM1+eSIM2
Connectivity and Location
WLAN Protocols	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, 2×2 MIMO
WLAN Frequency	2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz
WLAN Help	WLAN Hotspot, WLAN Direct
Bluetooth Model	Bluetooth 6.0
Bluetooth Help	Low Vitality Bluetooth (BLE), LE Audio
Audio Codecs	SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LC3
Audio Options	ASHA Listening to Support Protocol
Infrared Distant Management	Sure
PC Information Sync	Sure (requires set up of HonorSuite on the pc)
OTG	Most output present 1.5A/5V throughout reverse energy provide
USB Port Kind	USB Kind-C
Earjack	USB Kind-C
Video Name Help	Helps operator and third-party software program
Positioning Methods	GPS(L1+L5), AGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou(B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), Galileo(E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1 + L5)
Further Positioning Help	Mobile Community Positioning, Wi-Fi Community Positioning
Sensors
Sensors	Gravity Sensor, Infrared Sensor, Corridor sensor, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyroscope, Compass, Barometric Stress Sensor, Acceleration Sensor, Ambient Mild Sensor, Proximity Sensor
NFC	Help Reader/Author Mode, Card Emulation Mode (SIM*, HCE)
Media and Audio
Video	3gp/mp4
Audio	mp3/mp4/3gp/ogg/amr/aac/flac/wav/midi
Sound Impact	HONOR Sound
Stereo	Supported
What’s within the field	Telephone(Constructed-in battery) x 1
	USB Kind-C Cable x 1
	Fast Begin Information x 1
	Eject Device x 1
	Inside display protecting movie (Connected on the cellphone earlier than supply) x 1
	Exterior display protecting movie (Connected on the cellphone earlier than supply) x 1
	Guarantee Card x 1
	PU Case x 1

*The precise dimensions and weight might differ relying on the configuration, manufacturing course of, and measurement technique.

*The show display adopts a rounded nook design. When measured in response to a normal rectangle, the diagonal size of the display is 6.43 inches for the outer display and seven.95 inches for the interior display (the precise viewing space is barely smaller).

 

{Hardware}

The {hardware} on the Honor Magic V5 is actually flagship-level.

Internally, it boasts a full-fat Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, supported by the chipset. Moreover, it options 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512 gigabytes of UFS storage, making certain easy efficiency for duties focussed on the chipset and reminiscence. You can even broaden the reminiscence by utilizing VRAM, though I’ve by no means discovered myself needing this function throughout my time utilizing the cellphone. 

The cellphone is powered by Honor’s third-generation silicone carbon batteries, which I intentionally confer with as batteries. The cellphone truly options two separate battery cells: one mounted on the entrance and the opposite bigger battery mounted on the rear. Mixed, these batteries supply a storage battery capability of 5820ah, which has confirmed to final a very long time, permitting me to get full days of battery life out of the cellphone. I’ve solely depleted the battery on very uncommon events. Round 30% from a full cost throughout the day, this has solely occurred a couple of times, and solely once I’ve been utilizing the cellphone’s digital camera, GPS, and streaming numerous movies for gaming.

By way of preserving the cellphone cool and performing,  it options, superior cooling know-how, akin to what you’ll be extra aware of from the PC world. It has massive vapour chambers that permit the motion of small quantities of fluid in these chambers to assist disperse warmth, which is crucial to permit the cellphone to stay as cool as potential whereas nonetheless performing on the highest potential ranges. Which means the cellphone may be very excessive performing and has not introduced any wrestle when doing intensive duties. I’ve used the cellphone for capturing 4K 60 per second video and in addition for prime body charge gaming, taking part in my typical video games of Asphalt Unite and Name of Obligation cellular. When taking part in these video games, I’ve not seen any overheating. Sure, the cellphone will heat up, however it’s properly inside comfy parameters.

One other facet that pertains to the cellphone’s efficiency and multitasking skill is its slim and modern design. Whereas I’ll delve deeper into multitasking within the software program part of this evaluate, relaxation assured, you possibly can positively perform a number of duties concurrently. I typically discover myself having no less than two apps open aspect by aspect utilizing the split-screen software program implementation, and it’s been seamless.

Honor has cleverly mixed a slim and modern cellphone with a high-performing system that may perform as each a sweet bar-style cellphone and a large-format folding pill when wanted.

I discussed earlier that the battery is a twin carbon silicone design, which permits it to be slim whereas additionally enabling fast charging. I recall mentioning the charging pace of as much as 66W when utilizing a SuperCharge charger from Honor. Apparently, I’ve additionally discovered that the cellphone costs quickly utilizing a normal Energy Supply charger. That is significantly useful since there’s no charger included within the field. If you happen to’ve invested in a high-speed GAN-style charger like me, you’ll nonetheless get very excessive charging speeds from the Honor Magic V5.

Nonetheless, this isn’t the one solution to cost this slim cellphone. You can even utilise as much as 50W wi-fi charging, once more when utilizing the suitable Honor Supercharge wi-fi charging stand. In fact, that is an optionally available further, and the stand is so highly effective that it has built-in energetic cooling to assist the cellphone calm down because it’s being charged wirelessly, which might trigger warmth build-up from the charging system. The cellphone additionally helps reverse wi-fi charging at a pace of 5W. That is significantly useful in the event you’re caught quick and have to cost some wi-fi buds, just like the Pixel Buds Professional, which I’ve paired seamlessly with the Honour Magic V5. 

By way of connectivity, all of your bases are coated. The cellphone has Bluetooth 6 built-in, supporting all of the generally used codecs. It additionally has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 help

Moreover, it helps all of the worldwide mobile bands as much as 5G. I’ve heard from our American buddies that it’s going to help some American networks, regardless of not having an official North American launch.

The cellphone may even work on a number of GPS companies, making certain you possibly can all the time get an accurate and long-lasting GPS repair, no matter your location. That is essential for numerous location companies eventualities, reminiscent of maps and monitoring, or utilizing the cellphone’s or ancillary choices like Bluetooth trackers.

I’ll delve deeper into the digital camera module in my evaluate, however it’s a triple-lens system with a 50MP Extremely Large Digicam (f/2.0), 50MP Large Digicam (f/1.6, OIS), 64MP telephoto Lens Digicam (f/2.5, OIS) that helps as much as 3x optical zoom through a prism telephoto lens. This huge digital camera array is important to accommodate these three lenses. Along with the lenses, there’s a single LED flash that’s vibrant sufficient to make use of as a flashlight and works properly as an LED flash when wanted. Nonetheless, as a result of aperture of the cameras, I haven’t actually wanted to make use of the flash for low-light images. Extra particulars on this can comply with later.

We actually have flagship-grade parts on the Honor Magic V5. Whereas there’ll all the time be some compromises with {hardware} on a foldable cellphone, in my view, these compromises have been saved to a minimal to ship a brand new flagship-level expertise.

Now that the {hardware} is finished, let’s delve deeper into the software program.

Software program

The Honour Magic V5 software program is an evolution of what we’ve come to count on from Honour gadgets previously. Constructed on the muse of Android 15, it does shave a number of the extras added by Honour. These extras are primarily in two areas: how multitasking is managed and the compulsory serving of AI. Most of this AI is both duplicating what might be carried out on through the Google Gemini platform or some buyer AI instruments made in-house by Honour.

Trying on the multitasking on the Honour Magic V5 is a good place to start out. The primary core of multitasking on the Magic V5 is named Honour Multi-Flex. That is primarily the function that the launcher makes use of to permit a number of apps to be open aspect by aspect. Sure, you learn that appropriately – it’s now potential to have three apps open on the identical time when the cellphone is unfolded. It is a large step up from the Honour Magic V3 and is Honor’s try to problem the likes of OnePlus, Oppo, and Samsung to create the perfect multitasking surroundings potential.

I discover this function extremely helpful and has allowed me to finish duties that I’d usually reserve for my laptop computer. Whether or not it’s managing emails and my calendar concurrently or researching my subsequent smartwatch, being able to have two or three near-full-screen apps open concurrently, albeit on the bigger display, has been very useful.

Nonetheless, if I actually need to broaden and get extra work carried out, I then have the choice of utilizing the built-in Honour Desktop mode, which permits me to work in a desktop-styled surroundings. That is one thing that I discover enjoyable to do, however it’s not practically as finely polished accurately, so I don’t use it extensively behind the occasional use for sharing photographs on my large TV.Having the pliability is what makes a folding cellphone so vital to me, and Honor’s software program enhances this multitasking expertise. Nonetheless, there may be some room for enchancment. I’ve discovered that once I’m making an attempt to utilise gestures inside full-screen apps with greater than two open on the identical time, it’s simple to get confused about which gestures I want to make use of to navigate across the app itself. I’ve been in a position to get used to it, however typically it’s simply not very intuitive.

One other space the place multitasking could possibly be improved is that if, for instance, I’m in a YouTube video and I get a WhatsApp message. I faucet on it to learn it, and it opens in a floating window that reveals the complete app. This implies the scaling is typically a bit difficult to work together with. I’ve principally obtained used to it, however I’d truly choose it to open the app as a split-screen app. I’m unsure if that is simply an adjustment within the settings. It’s higher at dealing with it than my Pixel is, although, as that simply opens the app that triggered the notification.

The second a part of the software program equation added to the Honour Magic V5 is all about AI. Honor has invested numerous effort and time into constructing and fine-tuning their AI platform, with important collaboration with Google. It appears that evidently a lot of their AI toolset truly builds on the Google Gemini base. By way of AI, you will have all of your normal capabilities, reminiscent of AI translate, AI name help, AI Deepfake detection, and AI subtitles, to call a number of. These capabilities work as their names recommend and improve your expertise in utilizing the cellphone for the duties they’re designed for. What I significantly like is that a lot of the Honor-based AI is on the cellphone and doesn’t depend on cloud computation. This implies it’s sooner to reply and works no matter your location. The exceptions are a number of of the AI instruments from the gallery, however that’s the case with most AI-assisted photograph or video apps as of late. I additionally recognize that there’s no indication of any further price concerned in utilizing the AI companies, not like Google and Samsung.

To be trustworthy, I don’t discover myself utilizing a lot of Honor’s personal AI toolset. I have a tendency to stay with utilizing Google Gemini. I’ve used the AI transcribe from voice recordings and located it barely higher at choosing up what I’m saying and transcribing it appropriately. Among the different AI capabilities I’ve discovered helpful are literally embedded within the gallery app. These are an evolution over what Google gives with their photograph modifying suite.

One software I discovered significantly helpful is the flexibility for the cellphone to detect when an individual has their eyes closed in a photograph. The Magic V Fold 5 incorporates Synthetic Intelligence (AI) to boost the photo-taking expertise. It might probably modify the attention areas to broaden the precise eye element, making it seem as if the individual’s eyes are open and bettering the photograph. This function is especially helpful as a result of a lot of my topics have their eyes closed.

One other notable addition to the core Android software program is the Magic Sidebar, accessible by swiping in from the aspect of the display. This toolbar offers fast entry to capabilities and permits customers to avoid wasting pictures and textual content extracts to a favorite area. This area can then be used to tug info into totally different fields or paperwork.

It additionally has a really useful abstract, which makes use of Ai to summarise the content material from the web page, as proven beneath.

Transferring on from the AI facet, the Magic V Fold 5 additionally gives the flexibility to attach with both iOS gadgets or Mac computer systems. Whereas I haven’t had the possibility to make use of this function myself, I think about it should work equally to the implementation I found when reviewing the Oppo Discover N5 and OnePlus Nord 5 just lately.

This function expands upon the Magic Ring service, which permits customers to take pleasure in the advantages of being inside the Honor ecosystem in the event that they personal different Honor gadgets like tablets or laptops. By way of Magic Ring, customers can seamlessly share content material and their cellphone’s display with these different gadgets. Based mostly on my observations of Magic Ring, the iOS and Mac sharing perform seems to carry out an analogous process, albeit inside a distinct ecosystem. As somebody who makes use of a Mac each day, I’m happy to see this performance being adopted by extra producers.

one new function i used to be nevertheless appble to strive was Honoer Share with iOS gadgets. This a comparatively easy course of and simply requiores you to obtain the Honor Join App in your iOS system after which open the app on the iOS system and scan a QR code from the Honor Magic V5 Honor Share menu positioned  inside the telephones settings. As soon as this has been carried out a direct wifi connection is setup and you’ll share content material between your Honor Magic V5 and your iOS system with ease. right here is an instance of the results of me sharing a video from my Honor Magic v5 with my iPhone 15 Professional Max.

General, I’ve been impressed with the Honor software program and Magic OS 9.0.

There’s one space that actually annoys me, although it’s not a dealbreaker and I’ve realized to stay with it. It’s the insistence on splitting the notification and management panel areas when dragging your finger down from the highest of the display. I perceive why they’re doing this, because it’s one thing that iPhone and iPad customers are actually accustomed to. However the Honour Magic V5 is an Android system, not an iOS one. And for Android customers, the notification and management panel drag-down choice has all the time been unified.

I don’t like that not solely have they got this set because the default on Honor gadgets now, however there’s no solution to revert to the previous type as might be discovered on different gadgets which have made this modification.

I’ve been a long-term Android consumer, and one of many core values I had with Android was the customisability of sure elements of the cellphone. The truth that Honour and another producers are actually limiting this customisation doesn’t sit properly with me. I can solely hope that they add the perform of becoming a member of the notification and management panels again collectively as meant by Android.

So, summarising the software program, it’s excellent. The multitasking can also be excellent, not fairly A-grade however significantly better than discovered on Google’s personal Pixel gadgets. The AI implementation is expansive, and I really feel that the Honor Magic OS 9 software program has been growing properly from what I bear in mind of early iterations. There’s additionally not a large quantity of bloat, and the bloat that’s there might be eliminated pretty simply.

I’ve enclosed a screenshot beneath exhibiting the bloatware and app duplicates that do exist on your reference. These extra apps should not a lot bloat within the typical type of adware however they’re duplications of present apps and my private choice is to make use of the google apps for these companies as such for essentially the most half they’ve remained un used except maybe the gallery app because it has the modifying perform I discussed above that’s lacking from Google Images.

Now that we’ve coated the software program facet of the cellphone, I have to take a while to undergo the reasonably massive and distinguished function on the rear of the cellphone: the digital camera.

Digicam

The digital camera on the Honor Magic Fold v5 is an enormous deal each when it comes to the scale of the digital camera itself , as it’s no shrinking violet, and what it will probably do. I’ve been very lucky that Honor offered me with the cellphone early in order that I used to be in a position to take it with me on my household vacation to the gorgeous island of Madeira earlier this month. This allowed me to present the digital camera a really thorough check in quite a lot of eventualities. I’ve included some digital camera samples beneath so that you can take a look at, however earlier than I’m going into that, I need to talk about the digital camera’s {hardware} a bit additional.

64MP Extremely Sensing Periscope Telephoto Digicam:

• 64MP decision
• 1/2-inch sensor
• f/2.5 aperture
• 3X Optical Zoom
• 100X Digital Zoom
• Optimised mild consumption for numerous lighting circumstances

50MP Extremely-Mild Delicate Falcon Predominant Digicam:

• 50MP decision
• 1/1.56-inch sensor
• f/1.6 ultra-large aperture
• Autofocus (AF) performance
• Optical Picture Stabilisation (OIS)
• Glorious low-light efficiency

50MP Extremely-Large Digicam:

• 50MP decision
• 122° ultra-wide subject of view
• f/2.0 aperture
• Excellent for group photographs and landscapes
• Captures expansive scenes with beautiful element

With the above specs you’ll count on that the digital camera on the Honor Magic V5 ought to take some beautiful phots and you’ll be right. Admittedly the overwhelming majority of my testing  was carried out in excellent lighting and in a really vibrant and vibrant surroundings however I’ve been very please with the outcomes. Here’s a choice of the phots utilizing quite a lot of the lenses and zoom settings.

I’ve additionally been in a position to to some shut up pictures utilizing the auto macro mode as might be seen beneath.

A function that I did actually take pleasure in taking part in with was the sunshine portray mode out there below the extra menu as this allowed me to get the pictures beneath utilizing the Silky water configuration.

Basically what this does it retains the lens open for longer creating the deliberate blurring of the water however it does it in method that in my view appears actually cool. It’s virtually as whether it is bringing motion to the image.

As for the zoom capabilities listed here are some  samples of this in motion beneath.

I’m fairly impressed at how the blades on the wind turbine are nonetheless very clear even at 20x zoom sadly I wasn’t in a position to seize any 50x zoom or 100x zoom pictures on the time because it was troublesome to maintain issues steady whereas handheld. Actually although I’m nonetheless proud of the outcomes of those pictures.

As for the entrance going through digital camera it excellent at capturing selfies as you’ll count on from a 2oMP sensor which has an f/2.2 aperture. each the interior and outer screens use the identical sensors so you’re going to get the identical outcomes from each cameras. Listed here are a number of samples of those cameras taken in my house workplace.

Exterior Digicam

Inside digital camera

Not too shabby given the topic. In fact I might have improved the picture from the exterior digital camera additional by utilizing AI to take away the reflection in my glasses however I believed I’d share the true picture with you for the needs of the evaluate!

Final up is video and right here is an space I’ve been actually impressed I’ve recorded each HD and 4K video on the cellphone and have discovered the standard to be excellent particularly the sound. Here’s a pattern

Pattern Video from Honor Magic V5

Sadly this has been downsampled to a decrease decision for sharing right here however it provides you an thought of the standard.

In brief the digital camera on the Honor Magic V5 is a major step up from the earlier technology system and is up there with the perfect cameras on foldable telephones out there within the European market

Conclusion

The Honor Magic V5 represents a brand new period of thinness for smartphones, significantly within the foldable class. This system is presently among the many thinnest out there available on the market.

I’ve been happy with my expertise utilizing the system, as it’s a sturdy contender within the European foldable market. The cellphone’s worth additionally gives good worth when in comparison with its main competitors, such because the Galaxy Z Fold 7 sequence and the upcoming Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold.

I used to be impressed with the standard of the digital camera and the steps Honor has taken to refine Magic OS 9.0. Constructing on the muse of the Honor Magic V3, the cellphone feels quick and fluid, with no noticeable sluggishness within the consumer interface. Whereas the software program has room for enchancment, it’s on a constructive trajectory.

I can suggest the Honor Magic V5 to potential foldable cellphone consumers, and the pre-order gives are price contemplating. Nonetheless, in the event you presently personal an Honor Magic V3, an improve might not be essential except you obtain a powerful trade-in worth. I can be dissatisfied to see the Honor Magic V5 go. It has been a pleasure to make use of and offers a way of optimism for the way forward for Honor’s foldable lineup.

The Honor Magic V5 might be pre-ordered from the Honor web site with costs ranging from £1,699.99, earlier than any particular reductions or presents. It’s going to even be out there from high-street retailers together with EE, O2, Three, Vodafone, Tesco Cellular, Argos, Currys, Amazon, and Very beginning on August twenty ninth.