If you’ve ever wished for a foldable phone that doesn’t feel like one, the Honor Magic V5 might just be it. Touted as the world’s slimmest foldable, it’s a breath of fresh air in a segment often associated with bulky frames and compromise. Right out of the box, it feels just like a finely tuned flagship that’s ready for everyday life. Whether you’re a multitasker, a design enthusiast, or simply someone curious about foldables done right — this might be the one that finally wins you over.
Honor Magic V5: Design
The Honor Magic V5 immediately makes a statement, and in Dawn Gold, it’s nothing short of stunning. The finish is warm and luxurious, with a subtle shimmer that dances in the light — elegant without being loud. I have this color for review, and honestly, it’s one of the most tasteful finishes I’ve seen on any foldable.
The octagonal dome camera system further adds character without feeling overdesigned. Its golden hue complements the back beautifully, giving the phone a unified, almost jewellery-like aesthetic. Despite packing serious hardware, the Magic V5 manages to stay impressively slim — just 8.8mm when folded and a razor-thin 4.1mm when opened. At 217 grams, it feels incredibly balanced in the hand, light enough for daily use yet solid enough to feel premium.
What really deserves praise, though, is the build quality. The inner display uses a carbon fiber-reinforced panel that boasts 380GPa strength and is rated for up to 500,000 folds. In real-world use, that means it doesn’t just look good — it’s built to last. This isn’t just the world’s slimmest foldable — it’s one of the best-looking and best-built ones I’ve ever held.
Honor Magic V5: Display
Using the Honor Magic V5 feels like having two top-tier screens in one device — and both deliver in a big way. When folded, the 6.43″ OLED display is sharp, vibrant, and incredibly bright, hitting up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness. It handles everything from outdoor messaging to casual video watching with ease. The colors are rich and accurate thanks to full DCI-P3 support, and the 120Hz refresh rate keeps scrolling and swiping satisfyingly smooth.
But unfold it — that’s where the Magic V5 truly flexes its name. The 7.95″ foldable OLED panel gives you that near tablet-like real estate without the bulk. Whether I was watching a movie, reviewing documents, or even multitasking with split screen apps, the display felt expansive, immersive, and beautifully responsive.
Despite its size, it holds nothing back: same punchy colours, same buttery 120Hz refresh rate, and that same incredible brightness. It’s not just functional — it’s a joy to look at and use, whether folded or fully open.
@playfuldroid First look at the world’s slimmest foldable – Honor Magic V5 ? #HonorMagicV5 #HonorMagic #Honor #Smartphone ? ???????????? ???? – UluuToo
What truly sets the Magic V5’s unfolded display apart, though, is how it makes full use of that generous screen space. One standout feature is the new triple split-screen multitasking, which — paired with the smart floating side bar — feels impressively close to a laptop experience. You can run up to three apps simultaneously across the screen, drag and drop between windows, and even launch mini floating apps without interrupting your main workflow.
It’s not just a party trick — it’s actually useful. For example, I found myself replying to messages, browsing the web, and watching YouTube all at once without the UI feeling cramped or sluggish. The side bar makes it effortless to launch or switch between apps, almost like a lightweight desktop launcher baked into the OS. For productivity on the go, this level of multitasking genuinely changes how you interact with a phone. Paired with the large, bright display, it’s akin to carrying a compact workstation in your pocket.
Honor Magic V5: Performance
Performance-wise, the Honor Magic V5 doesn’t just talk the talk — it walks the walk. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with a generous 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, this foldable handles everything I threw at it with remarkable ease. Whether I was flipping between multiple apps in split-screen mode, editing high-res photos, or playing demanding games, the experience remained fluid and stutter-free throughout.
What impressed me even more was how well the phone managed power. The 5,820mAh battery is one of the largest I’ve seen on a foldable, and it comfortably lasted me a full day of heavy use with juice to spare. And when I did need to top up, 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging meant I was back to 100% in no time. It’s the kind of reliable, all-day performance that makes the Magic V5 feels like a true foldable flagship.
Honor Magic V5: Cameras
On the imaging side of things, the camera system on the Honor Magic V5 genuinely took me by surprise — in the best way possible. While many foldables tend to compromise on camera performance, this one certainly belongs in the flagship photography league.
The 50MP main camera, featuring a bright f/1.6 aperture and OIS, consistently delivered crisp, well-balanced shots, even in challenging lighting. Whether it was golden-hour landscapes or quick point-and-shoot moments indoors, the detail and colour accuracy really stood out.
@playfuldroid HONOR Magic V5 camera zoom test ? #HonorMagicV5 #HonorMagic #Honor #Smartphone ? Ultimate Motivation – Nando Pinheiro
Then there’s the 50MP ultra-wide, which didn’t feel like an afterthought. It kept distortion to a minimum and gave shots a dramatic yet natural feel that makes it perfect for architecture and group photos. But the real highlight for me was the 64MP periscope telephoto camera, which handled zoom like a pro. Thanks to OIS, even shots at longer focal lengths came out sharp and usable, capturing details I didn’t even notice with my eyes at first.
Verdict
The Honor Magic V5 proves that foldables no longer have to come with compromises. At S$2,199, you’re getting more than just the world’s slimmest foldable — you’re getting a flagship experience through and through. From its luxurious Dawn Gold finish and ultra-light form factor to its powerful internals, standout cameras, and tablet-like display versatility, the Magic V5 feels like the most refined iteration of what a modern foldable should be. If you’re ready to invest in a foldable that balances everyday usability with forward-thinking innovation, this is the one to beat.
For those who’re interested, the Honor Magic V5 will be available for purchase through the HONOR official website, HONOR Experience Stores at Causeway Point, NEX, Tiong Bahru Plaza, and Plaza Singapura, as well as online platforms like Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop, and authorised retailers including Harvey Norman, Gain City, Best Denki, Courts, Challenger, KrisShop, and Popular.
