Honor Magic V5 review: A foldable to match my ginger beard

Sometimes you wonder whether reviewers ever actually use the phones they get sent. Well, Honor has finally sent me a review unit that does not clash with my ginger beard.

The version in orange vegan leather with rose gold framing is a rare sight and it actually matches me for once. So consider it glued to my hands and face.

But aesthetics are just window dressing. Does the £1,699 Magic V5 deliver under the hood? Yes, emphatically so. Below is my experience… lets have a nose at Honor’s new foldable handset.

What’s in the box?

Inside the box you get: 

• Honor Magic V5 smartphone
• Matching protective case with a ring holder/stand
• USB-C cable
• SIM tools, and documentation. The ring stand case is a welcome touch because it protects the fold while also giving you something handy to prop it up with.

Out of the box the Magic V5 feels premium. The vegan leather back in the orange variant we received feels rich and is not slippery.

The rose gold frame gives it some bling without going over the top. The hinge is taut but not stiff, and the folded thickness is slim enough to slip into a jacket pocket without feeling like a brick.

In short, a great device straight outta the box.

Glorious guts

Headline specs from Honor:

Display (unfolded)	7.95 inch LTPO OLED, up to 120 Hz, peak brightness around 5000 nits
Cover display (folded)	6.43-inch OLED, 120 Hz
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Elite
Memory and storage	16 GB RAM and 512 GB in our test unit, no microSD
Battery	5,820 mAh with 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
Cameras (rear)	50 MP main with OIS 50 MP ultra wide 64 MP periscope telephoto with 3x optical and up to 100x digital zoom
Front cameras	Dual 20 MP, one for each screen
Ingress protection:	IP58
Thickness	8.8mm folded, 4.1mm unfolded
Weight	217g

It is one of the slimmest and lightest foldables available today. The camera island does protrude, but that is a trade off we see on almost every flagship now.

The build feels solid. The internal screen uses a reinforced design, and the outer surfaces have scratch resistant glass.

The hinge feels durable with no slack and it holds its angle well. Overall the design is elegant, slim, and confident. The orange and rose gold version is a statement without being gaudy.

Fantastic folding fabulosity

This is where the Magic V5 shines.

Folding and the Dual Screen Experience

The hinge is smooth and can be flexed to partial angles where it stays put. This allows you to fold the screen slightly and use it like a small laptop.

For example, when writing emails in Gmail you can rotate the phone into landscape, fold it partway, and have the message pane on the top half and keyboard on the bottom half. I found myself doing this a lot, especially while on the go.

There is no creaking, no delays when opening or closing, and the fold feels almost invisible when in use.

Displays and Motion

Both screens are exceptional. Colors are vivid, contrast is deep, and motion is crisp with no blur or ghosting.

The refresh rate keeps things smooth. The internal screen is large enough for proper multitasking while the cover screen is bright and smooth enough to use comfortably without unfolding.

Performance and Multitasking

The Snapdragon 8 Elite with 16 GB of RAM is powerful. I juggled half a dozen apps at once including Slack, Chrome, Maps, YouTube, and document editing without a single stutter. Animations remain fluid and multitasking feels natural.

Split screen and multi window workflows are intuitive on this device. I often had three apps open at once and the Magic V5 handled it easily.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is excellent. With moderate use including emails, messaging, media, maps, and photography I consistently achieved two full days of life.

Even while running on my eSIM’s cellular data, for productivity on the go, the battery never gave me anxiety.

Charging is fast with 66 W wired charging and the 50 W wireless option is convenient.

Camera and Imaging

Honor continues its strong camera reputation here. The main, ultra wide, and telephoto sensors all produce sharp and detailed shots with good color balance.

Night mode holds up well with controlled noise and solid dynamic range. The periscope telephoto at 3x optical is particularly useful and even digital zoom maintains respectable detail.

Selfies from both front cameras are sharp and ideal for calls or social media.

Get this rocket in your pocket

In the UK the Honor Magic V5 is priced at £1699 SIM free. This is premium territory, though it still undercuts some rivals.

For US readers this device will require importing if you want a foldable that is not Samsung. That means risks with warranty, network compatibility, and customs, but the reward is one of the most compelling foldables available right now.

If you can stretch to the price or pay it off through an airtime plan, the Magic V5 delivers. It feels like a flagship in every regard, not a gimmick. It is polished, powerful, elegant, and versatile.

The Honor Magic V5 is a foldable done right. It never feels like a compromise, it never feels like a prototype, and every time I reached for it I was reminded that this is not a beta test. It is a fully fledged flagship foldable. The price is steep, but it earns every penny.

Does the Honor Magic V5’s premium pricing justify its flagship foldable features, or are consumers better off waiting for more affordable foldable options? Do you think Honor’s focus on design and battery life addresses the right priorities for foldable phones, or are there other features that matter more? Tell us below in the comments, or reach us via our Twitter or Facebook.