(Image Credit: Honor)
The jury’s still out on whether foldable phones will become the next big thing or just another passing trend, but after spending some time with the Honor Magic V2, Honor’s previous generation foldable, I’m definitely warming up to the idea. Remember when foldables felt like two phones stuck together and were priced like rare collectables? Well, Honor has worked some serious magic, trimming them down, in fact so much so that the Magic V3 has the title of “The World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone”. Announced yesterday at a press briefing at IFA in Berlin, Honor has released their latest Svelte foldable to global markets. At just 9.2mm folded and 4.4mm when open, you’d have a hard time finding a slimmer smartphone acrobat than this. For reference, Samsungs latest and greatest Galaxy Z Fold 6 is 12.1mm when folded and 5.6 mm open. Now don’t get me wrong, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an incredible piece of technology, however in this highly competitive segment were the slightest of margins or in this case millimetres matter, the Honor Magic V3 does take things up a notch with its sleek design and nifty tech, though it’s still priced almost the same as a Krugerrand.
(Image Credit: Honor)
The Foldable Phone Market: A Competitive Scramble
The foldable phone market is bustling right now, with everyone from Xiaomi, Honor and Samsung to Huawei with their yet unreleased triple foldable – everyone’s bringing their best to the table. Initially, foldables were seen as a bit of a gimmick, overly pricey ( this hasn’t changed much ) and missing core features. But as tech has improved, these devices have slimmed down and beefed up on the spec sheet. Samsung has been the big boss with its Galaxy Z Fold series, but Honor, is stepping into the spotlight, pushing the envelope with fresh designs and cool tech.
Honor’s Magic V3 is stepping up to challenge Samsung’s dominance, offering a serious alternative for those who want to switch things up. They’ve already taken top spot in the Western European market as per counterpoint research, with similar plans for the rest of the world. It’s like the new kid on the block showing off some serious tekkie chops and if it drives innovation and competition, I’m all for it!
(Image Credit: Honor)
South African Release?
In the high-stakes world of foldables, the Honor Magic V3 is a bold statement from Honor, showing they’re not just here to play but to win. If you’re keen to explore the future of mobile tech and turn some heads while doing it, the Magic V3 is definitely worth a look. We have not had the opportunity to review the device as yet and there’s no confirmation from Honor South Africa if the Magic V3 would grace our shores, however we can certainly hope that some magic reaches us too! For now at least, we can marvel over some of the highlights that makes this device a real contender.
Honor Magic V3 Highlights
- Super Slim and Lightweight: The Honor Magic V3 is a marvel of design, measuring a mere 9.2 mm thick when folded and a feather-light 4.4 mm when open. To give you some perspective, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is 12.1 mm when folded and 5.6 mm when open, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold measures 10.5 mm and 5.1 mm. The Magic V3 should feel almost as easy to handle as a regular phone.
- Tough and Durable: Despite its slender profile, the Magic V3 isn’t just a pretty face. Honor claims its impact resistance is 40 times better than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and that the hinge is good for at least 500,000 folds. The phone also has an IPX8 rating, meaning it can handle a dip in the pool but isn’t dust-proof.
- Stunning Display: The Magic V3 features a bright 6.43-inch outer screen and a generous 7.92-inch inner screen. Both displays are OLED and support a 120Hz refresh rate with high-frequency PWM dimming. The screens are sharp and vibrant, perfect for reading, gaming, or binge-watching your favourite series. The display crease is as subtle as a Sunday afternoon breeze, though it can catch the light at certain angles.
(Image Credit: Honor)
Performance and Software
The Magic V3 packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with Adreno 750 graphics, so it’s got the muscle for pretty much anything you throw at it. It runs Android 14 with MagicOS 8.0.1, which includes some clever AI features like Magic Ring, Magic Portal, and an upgraded AI Notes app. Google’s apps are pre-installed, making the Magic V3 feel like a regular Android phone when closed. But when you unfold it, the big screen opens up new possibilities for content consumption.
Camera Capabilities
The Magic V3’s camera system is like a well-stocked braai – it’s got everything you need:
- 40MP Main Camera (f/2.2 aperture)
- 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera (f/1.6 aperture + OIS)
- 50MP Telephoto Camera (f/3.0 aperture)
The front sports dual 20MP cameras for selfies and video calls. The 50MP periscope camera offers up to 100X digital zoom – though don’t expect miracles at the higher zoom levels.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is one of the Magic V3’s strong points. With its 5150mAh battery, it should lasts a solid two days between charges. When it’s time to top up, you can use 66W wired charging or 55W wireless charging, getting a full charge in under an hour. For the fastest charging, you’ll need to unfold the phone.
Pricing and Availability
Probably very expensive if international pricing is anything to go by, another Krugerrand investment perhaps! There’s no confirmation as yet regarding local availability, my guess is that since the still amazing Magic V2 is fairly recent in South Africa, Honor’s local division may just opt to skip this one!
