Breaking the 9 mm Barrier
On July 2, 2025, Honor unveiled the Magic V5 in Shenzhen, China, claiming the pole position in the ultra-slim foldable smartphone race. According to Bloomberg, only the Ivory White version achieves the standout thickness of just 8.8 mm when folded, narrowly besting the Oppo Find N5 at 8.9 mm. Other finishes like gold, black, and reddish brown measure 9.0 mm due to different materials. When unfolded, the Magic V5 opens to 4.1 mm, compared to Oppo’s 4.2 mm.
While thinness grabs headlines, the raised triple-lens camera bump—designed for high-end optics—adds bulk and undermines the “flattest” claim.
Featherweight Flagship
Weighing 217 g, the Magic V5 ranks among the lightest foldables on the market, sharing that title with Vivo’s X Fold 5. Honor also hints it may be the lightest inward-folding phone currently available.
Under the Hood: Specs That Pack a Punch
Honor didn’t just trim the frame. They went all in on performance:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), with up to 16 GB RAM
- Dual LTPO OLED displays: ~6.4″ outer and ~8.0″ inner, both 120 Hz
- Battery: 5,820 mAh standard, up to 6,100 mAh silicon-carbon in the 1 TB China model
- Charging: 66 W wired, 50 W wireless
- Camera system: 64 MP periscope telephoto, 50 MP wide, 50 MP ultra-wide
- IP rating: IP58/IP59, among the best in the foldable class
Honor’s in-house production innovations include AI-assisted assembly, carbon-fiber reinforcement, and a “super-steel” hinge that keeps the device durable despite its thin profile.
Foldable Evolution: What It Means for Users
The Magic V5 reflects a broader shift in the foldable landscape. Foldables are moving past their “compromise device” era and stepping up as serious flagship contenders. Here’s what Geekhub readers should note:
- Thin is no longer novel. Expect brands to seek new ways to stand out, like AI-driven features or unique user experiences.
- Battery breakthroughs matter. Honor’s silicon-carbon battery packs more juice into a smaller space.
- Camera quality beats thinness. To compete with slab-style flagships, foldables need solid optics even if it adds bulk.
- The competition is heating up. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is launching soon, Huawei is still lingering, and Apple is rumored to join the party by 2026.
So, Should You Care?
If you’re in South Africa or any other non-China market, here’s the reality check:
- If you care about engineering and bleeding-edge specs, the Magic V5 is impressive.
- But you probably can’t buy it yet. It launched in China on July 2, and global availability is unclear. Expect a limited release or a wait until late 2025.
- Samsung’s Fold 7, due to land around July 9, may be a safer bet in terms of accessibility and software polish.
Final Word
The Honor Magic V5 isn’t just a millimeter thinner than the competition. It signals that foldables are growing up. They’re getting lighter, more durable, more powerful, and more practical. Still, for those outside China, it remains a curious showcase of what’s possible rather than what’s within reach.
Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath just yet.
