Shenzhen, China — Honor has unveiled its latest innovation, the Magic V5, which the company claims is the thinnest foldable smartphone on the market. The device debuted in China, with an international release promised in the near future. While the V5 measures a sleek 8.8 millimeters when closed, this figure applies primarily to its Ivory White variant, designed to stand out in a competitive field.
The Magic V5 surpasses the thickness of Oppo’s Find N5, which measures 8.9 millimeters. However, the difference may be negligible for users, with a slight curvature in its design adding to its perceived thinness. The other color options of the V5 register at 9 millimeters, indicating a shift in materials that could impact the overall aesthetic and feel of the device.
One key aspect of the V5 is its pronounced camera module. The triple-camera system protrudes noticeably, making the phone feel bulkier despite its slim profile. While the upgraded camera specs, including higher-resolution sensors, may justify this extra thickness, it complicates Honor’s claim to the title of the world’s thinnest.
When fully opened, the device measures 4.1 millimeters, edging out the Find N5’s 4.2 millimeters, yet still falling short of Huawei’s Mate X2, which reaches down to 3.6 millimeters at its thinnest section. This ongoing contest of minuscule measurements hints at the saturation in the foldable smartphone market, where manufacturers are grappling to create significant advancements in design.
Honor’s claim to fame is not just a numbers game. The company previously held the title with its Magic V3 before Oppo introduced its Find N5, and now it stands at risk of losing that edge to Samsung, which is poised to announce a new Galaxy Z Fold 7 said to be even thinner than current models.
In addition to its compact design, the Magic V5 is also likely among the lightest foldable devices available, weighing in at 217 grams, alongside Vivo’s recently revealed X Fold 5. The competition remains fierce, marked by incremental advancements that, while they may seem trivial, contribute to user experiences and brand perceptions.
As the foldable phone market matures, the challenge for manufacturers lies in finding new ways to excite consumers. The technical limitations of current designs mean future iterations will need to focus on more than just thickness.
Fortunately for Honor, the Magic V5 supports a robust feature set, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. With the option for up to 16GB of RAM and a substantial 5,820mAh battery, it provides a strong performance backbone. Additional features include dual 120Hz LTPO OLED displays, wireless charging capabilities, and impressive IP58 and IP59 ratings, offering significant dust and water resistance.
As consumers continue to seek out the next best thing in smartphone technology, the Magic V5 may prove to be a solid contender, even amid a seemingly saturated design landscape. The focus may now shift to how manufacturers innovate beyond the factors of size and weight, enriching the user experience in new and exciting ways.