Final yr, the Honor Magic V3 shocked the world with its slim design and high-end specs, however within the time since, we’ve seen even slimmer gadgets hit the market. Huawei’s loopy tri-fold Mate XT is impossibly slim, whereas the Oppo Discover N5 holds the title of thinnest book-style foldable, measuring simply 4.21mm unfolded.
Now, although, the Honor Magic V5 has launched in China (and a worldwide launch is on the horizon, too), it measures simply 4.1mm thick when unfolded, or 8.8mm when folded, besting the Discover N5‘s 8.93mm girth.
Now, does 0.1mm make a noticeable distinction? Completely not. In truth, once I in contrast the Magic V5 to its predecessor, which is 9.2mm thick when folded, I may barely see the distinction after seeing the system in particular person. However hey, one cellphone needs to be the slimmest, and as of proper now, folding cellphone {hardware} doesn’t get any higher.
The Magic contact?
Oddly, the digicam bump has really elevated in measurement in comparison with its predecessor; it virtually makes the cellphone twice as thick, and I’m sure that’s going to be a controversial resolution.
In my eyes, although, that’s a superb factor: bigger digicam bumps make area for higher optics. The V3 was already top-of-the-line folding telephones for images, and I’m hoping we see additional enhancements this yr.
each the telephoto and ultrawide get extra megapixels, and the telephoto will get a wider aperture, too
At this early preview occasion, I wasn’t in a position to take a look at the cameras or the software program; it was purely a {hardware} showcase. So, we’ll have to attend for the worldwide launch to see how these lenses fare in the actual world.
For now, although, we all know it’s a 50Mp f/1.6 predominant snapper, a 64Mp f/2.5 3x telephoto and a 50Mp f/2.2 ultrawide. Every display has its personal 20Mp punch-hole selfie digicam.
In comparison with the older mannequin, each the telephoto and ultrawide get extra megapixels, and the telephoto will get a wider aperture, too. I wasn’t in a position to get any details about the sensor sizes, however that chunky digicam housing implies we might even see an improve there, too.
In fact, it’s not simply the cameras which have seen an improve; the V5 makes the bounce to the newest and best Snapdragon 8 Elite chip (up from the 8 Gen 3), and it comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
The battery has been supersized too, now boasting a 5820mAh capability, up from 5150mAh, with the identical spectacular 66W wired and 50W wi-fi charging speeds.
Honor did one of many scariest demonstrations I’ve ever seen
The inside display measures 7.95-inch, barely bigger than the V3’s 7.92-inch panel. It has one of many shallowest creases I’ve ever seen, and it’s a lot stronger than earlier than.
Honor says it has 15 occasions the scratch resistance and 10 occasions the drop resistance, due to a brand new Alumina coating and non-Newtonian silicon gel matrix (no matter which means), in addition to a carbon fibre help layer.
The hinge is upgraded, too. Honor is asking the brand new design a Tremendous Metal Hinge, and to showcase its energy, Honor did one of many scariest demonstrations I’ve ever seen. The cellphone was clamped to a desk, and a tote bag full of eight 330ml Coke cans was hung over half of the display.
That’s over 3kg of drive pulling the hinge within the mistaken path. To not point out the truth that the bag handles and clamp have been pushing down on the comparatively fragile interior show. The cellphone survived with out situation, which is spectacular for any foldable, not to mention the thinnest one in the marketplace.
As well as, the IP score has been upped to IP58/IP59, whereas the older mannequin was solely IPX8. It’s nonetheless not fully dust-tight, however it might now face up to full submersion in contemporary water, in addition to blasts from jets of scorching water.
Apart from the Vivo X Fold 5, which additionally launched in China this week, it’s the one folding cellphone to realize such a excessive IP score.
However what about Samsung?
On all fronts, the Honor Magic V5 is shaping as much as be one of the spectacular foldable telephones ever made, however there’s an enormous Samsung-shaped query mark looming over the event. The model is ready to debut its newest foldable gadgets at Galaxy Unpacked on 9 July.
Rumours say the Galaxy Z Fold 7 would be the Korean large’s thinnest foldable to date, and will give the Magic V5 a run for its cash. It’s positive to be highly effective, and the cameras will little doubt be spectacular, however on the very least, I can’t think about Samsung competing on battery life.
Evan Blass
In any case, the Z Fold 6 has a measly 4400mAh cell, and solely prices at 25W with a wire and 15W wirelessly. If the Z Fold 7 manages to match the Magic V5’s 5820mAh capability and 66W wired / 50W wi-fi charging speeds, I shall be actually gobsmacked.
As of proper now, the Honor Magic V5 appears to be one of the well-equipped folding telephones accessible, and I can’t wait to spend some extra time with it. For those who’re a fan of folding gadgets, strap in, as a result of the subsequent few months are going to be very thrilling.
Try our record of the perfect foldable telephones.