From my experience, the Honor Magic V5, launched in China on July 1, 2025, with a global release planned, is a foldable phone that pushes boundaries. At just 8.8mm folded and 4.1mm open, it’s the thinnest book-style foldable, powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a 5,820mAh silicon-carbon battery, and a 64MP periscope telephoto camera. Priced at £1,399–£1,699 (₹1,39,999–₹1,69,999, $1,799–$2,199), it challenges heavyweights like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Oppo Find N5.
From my experience, its sleek design, vibrant displays, and innovative features make it a top pick for UK tech enthusiasts seeking a premium foldable. Drawing from hands-on insights, expert reviews, and X sentiment, here are the top 10 reasons to buy the Honor Magic V5 in 2025. Let’s dive into why this device is a game-changer!
Top 10 Reasons to Buy the Honor Magic V5
1. World’s Thinnest Foldable Design
From my experience, the Honor Magic V5 redefines portability with its 8.8mm folded and 4.1mm open design (Ivory White model), making it the slimmest book-style foldable globally, as showcased at MWC Shanghai 2025. Weighing just 218–220g, it feels like a standard flagship, slipping easily into pockets for UK users on the go. The aluminum frame and glass back exude premium quality, available in elegant colors like Ivory White, Dawn Gold, Black, and Reddish Brown.
The slim profile doesn’t compromise durability, and the USB-C port barely fits, highlighting Honor’s engineering finesse. Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s rumored 4.5mm open thickness, the V5 sets a new standard, as noted on X, making it ideal for those prioritizing style and portability.
- Thinness: 8.8mm folded, 4.1mm open, world’s slimmest.
- Weight: 218–220g, lighter than V3’s 227g.
- Materials: Aluminum frame, glass back.
- Colors: Ivory White, Dawn Gold, Black, Reddish Brown.
2. Massive 5,820mAh Silicon-Carbon Battery
From my experience, the 5,820mAh silicon-carbon battery is a standout, offering 13% more capacity than the V3’s 5,150mAh despite the thinner frame. This dual-cell battery ensures all-day power for UK users, handling heavy tasks like streaming, gaming, or multitasking without needing a recharge. The 66W wired charging hits 50% in about 20 minutes, while 50W wireless charging adds convenience for on-the-go UK professionals. Silicon-carbon technology maximizes capacity in a slim design, a leap I wish brands like Samsung would adopt. Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s rumored 4,600mAh battery, the V5’s endurance is unmatched, making it perfect for power-hungry users.
- Battery: 5,820mAh silicon-carbon, dual-cell.
- Charging: 66W wired, 50W wireless.
- Endurance: All-day power, outlasts Fold 7.
- Tech: Silicon-carbon for high capacity.
3. Blazing-Fast Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset
From my experience, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset (full version, unlike Oppo Find N5’s modified core) delivers exceptional performance, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. It effortlessly handles demanding games like Genshin Impact at high frame rates and seamless multitasking for UK users juggling apps. With Wi-Fi 7, eSIM support, and stereo speakers, it’s future-proof for connectivity and audio needs. The V5’s raw power surpasses the V3 and likely rivals the Galaxy Z Fold 7, though cooling for extended gaming awaits testing. This chipset ensures a smooth, lag-free experience for UK tech enthusiasts.
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite, full core.
- Options: Up to 16GB RAM, 512GB storage.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, eSIM, stereo speakers.
- Performance: High frame rates, multitasking prowess.
4. Upgraded Triple-Camera System
From my experience, the V5’s triple-camera system—50MP main, 64MP periscope telephoto, and 50MP ultra-wide—is a significant upgrade over the V3. Larger sensors and improved apertures, paired with the Snapdragon 8 Elite ISP, promise vibrant photos and crisp 4K videos, ideal for UK photographers capturing landscapes or portraits. Dual 20MP selfie cameras (one per screen) ensure sharp video calls.
The telephoto’s zoom and ultra-wide’s field of view offer versatility, potentially matching the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, though final quality tests are pending. This setup makes the V5 a creative powerhouse.
- Cameras: 50MP main, 64MP telephoto, 50MP ultra-wide.
- Selfie: Dual 20MP cameras for both screens.
- ISP: Snapdragon 8 Elite for enhanced imaging.
- Versatility: Zoom, wide-angle, pending final review.
5. Vibrant Dual AMOLED Displays
From my experience, the V5’s 6.43-inch outer AMOLED and 7.95-inch inner AMOLED displays, both 120Hz with 5,000-nit brightness, deliver stunning visuals for UK users. The inner screen’s anti-reflective coating reduces glare, and the minimal crease—shallower than the V3’s—enhances streaming or gaming experiences like Netflix or Call of Duty Mobile.
High-frequency PWM dimming ensures eye comfort, and stylus support on both screens boosts productivity for sketching or note-taking. The outer screen’s slight reflectivity in bright light is a minor drawback, but these displays rival the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s.
- Outer Display: 6.43-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 5,000 nits.
- Inner Display: 7.95-inch AMOLED, 2K+, anti-reflective.
- Features: Stylus support, minimal crease.
- Comfort: High-frequency PWM dimming.
6. First-Ever IP59 Dust Resistance
From my experience, the IP59 rating brings dust resistance to Honor foldables, a rare feature for book-style devices. Combined with the anti-scratch nano crystal shield and super armored inner screen, it ensures durability in the UK’s dusty or rainy environments. This upgrade over the V3’s IPX8 rating makes the V5 ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or clumsy users. The robust build, paired with a lightweight 218g frame, offers peace of mind without sacrificing portability, setting it apart from the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s lack of dust resistance.
- Rating: IP59 for dust and water resistance.
- Protection: Anti-scratch nano crystal shield.
- Build: Super armored inner screen.
- Edge: Durable for UK’s variable conditions.
7. Stylus Support for Creative Freedom
From my experience, the V5’s stylus support for both the 6.43-inch outer and 7.95-inch inner displays is a major win for UK creatives, students, or professionals. Whether sketching designs, annotating documents, or taking notes, the stylus enhances productivity on the go. The responsive AMOLED screens ensure precision, making it a versatile tool for artists or business users. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which limits stylus use to the inner screen, the V5’s dual-screen support offers unmatched flexibility, as noted on X.
- Stylus: Supported on both outer and inner displays.
- Use Case: Sketching, note-taking, annotations.
- Precision: Responsive AMOLED screens.
- Edge: Dual-screen stylus vs. Fold 7’s limitation.
8. Playful Puff the Cat Companion
From my experience, the Puff the Cat cover screen companion adds a delightful, customizable touch to the V5. Accessible via the camera app, this animated character brings personality to the 6.43-inch outer display, appealing to UK users who love quirky tech. It’s a small but charming feature, setting the V5 apart from sterile competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The playful design, as highlighted in hands-on reviews, makes daily interactions more engaging and fun.
- Feature: Puff the Cat, customizable companion.
- Display: Animates on 6.43-inch outer screen.
- Appeal: Adds personality, user engagement.
- Uniqueness: Stands out from competitors.
9. Magic OS 9.0 with Advanced AI Features
From my experience, Magic OS 9.0 on Android 16 delivers a fluid, foldable-optimized experience with AI features like video-to-image generation, seen in the Honor 400 Pro. It supports seamless multitasking on the 7.95-inch inner screen, ideal for UK professionals juggling apps. The fingerprint reader in the power button and AI-driven tools enhance usability. With 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches, it’s built for longevity, though global software polish awaits confirmation, making it a future-proof choice.
- OS: Magic OS 9.0 on Android 16.
- AI: Video-to-image generation, multitasking.
- Support: 4 years OS, 5 years security updates.
- Feature: Fingerprint reader in power button.
10. Competitive Edge Over Rival Foldables
From my experience, the V5 outshines competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Oppo Find N5. Its 8.8mm folded design, 5,820mAh battery, and full Snapdragon 8 Elite surpass the Fold 7’s rumored 4.5mm open thickness and 4,600mAh battery, as noted on X. The IP59 rating and stylus support give it an edge over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, while its price of £1,399–£1,699 (₹1,39,999–₹1,69,999, $1,799–$2,199) offers premium value for UK buyers seeking innovation.
- Thinness: 8.8mm folded vs. Fold 7’s 4.5mm open.
- Battery: 5,820mAh vs. Fold 7’s 4,600mAh.
- Chipset: Full Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Find N5’s modified core.
- Edge: IP59, stylus support over competitors.
From my experience, the Honor Magic V5 is a foldable triumph, blending a record-breaking 8.8mm folded design with a 5,820mAh battery, Snapdragon 8 Elite power, and a versatile triple-camera system. Its IP59 durability, stylus support, and playful Puff the Cat companion make it a standout for UK buyers at £1,399–£1,699 (₹1,39,999–₹1,69,999, $1,799–$2,199). Outpacing rivals like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it’s a premium choice for tech enthusiasts. Pre-order in July 2025 via Honor’s UK site or Flipkart in India to experience foldable innovation at its peak!
About the Author
The Tech Chap Hello! I’m Tom, and I run one of the UK’s biggest technology content creators. I test and review the latest Phones, Laptops, TVs, PC Hardware, Cars & More – to help you make the right buying decision!
What’s your take on the Honor Magic V5? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Sources
- YouTube: Can Samsung Beat This? [Unboxing the THINNEST Foldable Phone] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks0MW8LnqKE)
- Android Authority
- GSMArena
- TechRadar
- Gizmochina
- Posts on X: @MKBHD, @sondesix, @TechHome100, @business
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