The foldable smartphone market is heating up, and Honor is poised to steal the spotlight with its highly anticipated Honor Magic V5. Set to launch on July 2, 2025, in China, this device is already generating buzz for its claim to be the world’s thinnest foldable smartphone at just 8.8mm when folded. With a powerhouse Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version processor, a groundbreaking 200MP periscope telephoto camera, and a massive 6100mAh battery, the Magic V5 is set to redefine what foldable phones can achieve. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the specs, design, and features that make the Honor Magic V5 a game-changer, while exploring its potential to compete with giants like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Honor Magic V5: Key Specifications at a Glance
Before we delve into the details, here’s a quick overview of the Honor Magic V5’s rumored and confirmed specifications:
- Design: 8.8mm thick (folded), ~4.35mm (unfolded), weighing ~217g
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version (up to 4.47GHz)
- Displays: 7.95-inch 2K+ LTPO foldable inner screen, 6.45-inch LTPO OLED cover screen (both 120Hz)
- Camera: Triple rear setup with 50MP main (OIS), 50MP ultra-wide, 200MP 3x periscope telephoto
- Battery: 6100mAh silicon-carbon battery with 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
- RAM/Storage: Up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage
- OS: Magic 9.0 based on Android 15
- Additional Features: IPX8 water resistance, Beidou satellite messaging, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, advanced AI capabilities
These specs position the Magic V5 as a premium foldable device, blending cutting-edge technology with a sleek, lightweight design.
Design: The Thinnest Foldable Smartphone Yet
One of the standout features of the Honor Magic V5 is its ultra-thin design. At 8.8mm thick when folded, it surpasses the current record holder, the Oppo Find N5 (8.9mm folded), and even Honor’s own Magic V3 (9.2mm folded). When unfolded, the device is expected to measure around 4.35mm, making it incredibly portable and comfortable to use. Weighing approximately 217g, it’s also among the lightest foldables, offering a perfect balance of durability and portability.
Honor CEO George Zhao teased the Magic V5’s design during MWC Shanghai 2025, emphasizing its sleek profile and premium aesthetics. The device is expected to come in four stunning color options: Velvet Black, Warm White, Dawn Gold, and Silk Road Dunhuang—a warm, earthy tone inspired by Chinese culture. The slim camera island houses the powerful 200MP periscope telephoto lens, adding a touch of sophistication to the design.
The Magic V5’s IPX8 water resistance ensures durability against splashes and submersion, a feature that’s becoming essential for flagship devices. Combined with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and Beidou satellite messaging for emergency communication, the Magic V5 is as practical as it is stylish.
Display: A Visual Masterpiece
The Honor Magic V5 boasts two high-quality displays designed for productivity and entertainment. The 7.95-inch 2K+ LTPO foldable inner screen offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The LTPO technology ensures energy efficiency by dynamically adjusting the refresh rate based on content, extending battery life.
On the outside, the 6.45-inch LTPO OLED cover screen also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for quick tasks like texting or browsing without unfolding the device. Both displays are expected to feature HDR support and HONOR Eye Comfort Display technology to reduce eye strain during extended use.
The large inner screen is perfect for multitasking, gaming, and content creation, while the cover screen ensures seamless usability in compact mode. Honor’s focus on PC-level productivity suggests split-screen capabilities and optimized apps for the foldable form factor.
Performance: Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite
At the heart of the Honor Magic V5 lies the Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version, a high-binned variant of Qualcomm’s flagship chipset with a prime core clocked at 4.47GHz. This overclocked processor, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, delivers blazing-fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI-driven tasks. Geekbench scores of 3,052 (single-core) and 9,165 (multi-core) indicate top-tier performance, rivaling the best smartphones of 2025.
The device runs on Magic 9.0, based on Android 15, offering a smooth and customizable user experience. Honor’s software optimizations, including OS Turbo X and GPU Turbo X, enhance performance and efficiency, ensuring the Magic V5 handles demanding apps with ease.
The Magic V5 also supports advanced satellite communication via Beidou-3, allowing short messaging services in areas without cellular coverage—a feature that’s increasingly valuable for adventurers and professionals.
Camera: A 200MP Powerhouse
The Honor Magic V5’s camera system is a highlight, featuring a triple rear setup designed to compete with the best camera phones. The star of the show is the 200MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, promising stunning detail and clarity even at a distance. This is paired with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharp, vibrant photos in all lighting conditions, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens for expansive landscapes and group shots.
Honor’s advanced computational photography, powered by AI, enhances image quality with features like HDR video recording and improved low-light performance. The front-facing cameras on both the inner and cover screens are expected to deliver high-quality selfies and video calls, though specific details are yet to be confirmed.
The 200MP periscope lens sets the Magic V5 apart from competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, making it a top choice for photography enthusiasts.
Battery: The Largest in a Foldable
One of the most impressive features of the Honor Magic V5 is its 6100mAh silicon-carbon battery, the largest ever in a foldable smartphone. This is a significant upgrade over the Magic V3’s 5150mAh battery and outshines competitors like the Vivo X Fold 5 (6000mAh) and Oppo Find N5 (5600mAh).
The battery supports 66W wired fast charging, allowing quick top-ups, and 50W wireless charging for added convenience. The silicon-carbon technology improves energy density, enabling a larger capacity without increasing the device’s thickness or weight.
With its efficient LTPO displays and optimized Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the Magic V5 is expected to offer all-day battery life, even with heavy use like gaming or video streaming.
AI Features: Redefining Productivity
Honor is doubling down on AI with the Magic V5, promising PC-level productivity and the company’s most powerful AI features to date. The device integrates multi-agent collaboration and seamless device connectivity, making it a versatile tool for work and play. Features like Yoyo Assistant and Honor’s Alpha Plan are expected to enhance user experience with smart task automation, voice recognition, and personalized recommendations.
The Magic V5’s AI capabilities extend to photography, gaming, and battery management, ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience. These features position the Magic V5 as a direct competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy AI and Apple’s Intelligence suite.
Competition: How Does the Magic V5 Stack Up?
The Honor Magic V5 enters a crowded foldable market, with key competitors including:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Expected to launch in July 2025, it features a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and a refined design but may lack the Magic V5’s thinness and battery capacity.
- Oppo Find N5: At 8.9mm folded, it’s slightly thicker than the Magic V5 and has a smaller 5600mAh battery.
- Vivo X Fold 5: Boasts a 6000mAh battery and industry-leading dust/water resistance but is slightly thicker at 4.3mm unfolded.
The Magic V5’s combination of thinness, battery life, and camera prowess gives it a strong edge, particularly for users prioritizing portability and photography.
Global Availability and Launch Details
The Honor Magic V5 will launch in China on July 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM local time (4:30 PM IST). Pre-reservations are already open through Honor’s official store in China. While a global launch is expected later in 2025, Honor has not yet confirmed specific dates or regions.
Alongside the Magic V5, Honor will unveil the MagicPad 3, a flagship tablet with a 13.3-inch LCD, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and a slim 5.79mm profile.
Why the Honor Magic V5 Matters
The Honor Magic V5 is more than just a foldable smartphone—it’s a statement of innovation. By pushing the boundaries of design with its 8.8mm thickness, delivering unmatched battery life, and incorporating a 200MP camera, Honor is challenging the status quo in the foldable market. Its AI-driven features and powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset make it a versatile device for professionals, creators, and tech enthusiasts alike.
As foldable phones become more mainstream, the Magic V5 sets a new benchmark for what these devices can achieve. Whether you’re drawn to its sleek design, advanced cameras, or long-lasting battery, the Magic V5 promises to deliver a premium experience.
A Foldable Revolution Awaits
The Honor Magic V5 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting smartphones of 2025. Its record-breaking thinness, powerful performance, and innovative features make it a standout in the foldable category. As we await its official launch on July 2, 2025, the Magic V5 is poised to redefine foldable technology and challenge competitors like Samsung and Oppo.
Stay tuned for more updates as Honor reveals additional details about this groundbreaking device. Are you excited about the Magic V5? Let us know in the comments below!
