China’s Honor Smartphone formally introduced its next-generation foldable, the Honor Magic V5, throughout a flashy occasion at MWC Shanghai on Wednesday. The occasion confirmed a July 2 launch in Shenzhen, China.
The corporate hails the Magic V5 because the thinnest and lightest book-style foldable ever made. It’s positioned as a direct challenger to the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which can debut per week later at Galaxy Unpacked.
Armed with a large 6,100 mAh silicon-carbon battery, cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon, and a digicam setup that features a 200MP periscope telephoto, Honor’s newest foldable goals not simply to steal headlines however customers, too, with a spec sheet that reads like an influence consumer’s wishlist.
However in order for you one, you’ll want extra than simply deep pockets.
The foldable battle escalates
With Samsung’s subsequent Galaxy Fold due on or round July 9 on the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked occasion, Honor is getting the leap, at the very least in its dwelling market. The Magic V5 occasion kicks off Tuesday at 7 p.m. CST (that’s 7 a.m. Japanese), and if Honor’s claims maintain up, the gadget might stroll away with extra than simply early bragging rights.
Let’s discuss numbers, as a result of Honor’s not holding again. When folded, the Magic V5 measures simply 8.93 mm, and when unfolded, it’s an nearly impossibly skinny ~4.2 mm, which is slimmer than many smartphones, not to mention foldables.
It ideas the scales at a featherlight ~219 grams, regardless of housing a large 6,100 mAh silicon-carbon battery. That’s the biggest we’ve ever seen in a book-style foldable.
Charging is dealt with by 66W wired quick charging, although some rumors recommend an excellent sooner 80W variant could also be within the works. Inside, the telephone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Main Model, clocked larger than the bottom mannequin, with 16GB of RAM and Android 15 working the present.
It sports activities a pointy 6.45-inch LTPO OLED cowl display screen and opens as much as an immersive 8-inch 2K+ LTPO inside show, each working at 120Hz.
After which there’s the digicam: A daring 200MP periscope telephoto, flanked by a 50MP fundamental sensor with OIS and what’s anticipated to be a flexible ultrawide. Water resistance is roofed, with an IPX8 score possible at launch.
The place Samsung is refining, Honor goes for extra: Extra battery, extra reminiscence, greater sensors, and a full-stack AI engine geared toward delivering true “PC-level productiveness”, all in a tool thinner than your laptop computer’s energy brick.
Honor’s ‘Alpha AI’: Gemini killer or pipe dream?
Not like Samsung’s reliance on Google Gemini and cloud AI, Honor is betting the home on its in-house Alpha AI Plan. This technique hinges on native, multi-agent intelligence, that means the telephone does extra with out relying on a sign or server farm.
It’s an aggressive pitch: Actual-time productiveness, full-stack information bases, and a foldable that would doubtlessly double as a cell workstation. The corporate says MagicOS 9 (primarily based on Android 15) will assist cross-device interoperability, which is an enormous shift from the model’s extra insular roots.
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The catch? You’ll want a passport to purchase it
Right here’s the twist: Even should you’re offered on the Magic V5, shopping for one gained’t be so simple as hitting “Add to cart.”
The gadget is launching completely in China, with no confirmed international launch till at the very least September, possible timed for IFA Berlin. Meaning worldwide followers face a well-recognized headache made even worse by Trump’s tariffs — importing the gadget.
However the greater subject is China’s real-name registration system. To purchase and activate the telephone on a Chinese language community, you’ll want:
- A legitimate Chinese language citizen ID card or passport.
- An area SIM card.
- A residence allow or visa stamp should you’re not a citizen.
No native ID? No telephone. Even resellers face hurdles registering and transport unboxed, unactivated items overseas.
Should you’re within the U.S. or Europe, your solely actual choice is ready… or recruiting a well-connected buddy with a Chinese language ID and a working provider plan, however that’s not advisable.
A foldable fantasy… simply out of attain
Honor’s Magic V5 could be probably the most technically superior foldable ever made. It’s thinner, lighter, and more durable than something that Samsung, Oppo, or Huawei have on cabinets. The one drawback? It’s not truly on your shelf. Not except you’re in the best place, on the proper time, with the right papers.
It might be the case that Samsung’s upcoming Fold 7 appears considerably conservative subsequent to the V5. Which may be intentional; Samsung appears to be taking part in the lengthy sport to attain a refined gadget with international distribution whereas Honor continues to be making a reputation for itself within the West.
And because it seems, it’s possible you’ll actually want to call your self at customs to get one among these in your pocket.
