Honor has just launched its latest foldable smartphone, the Honor Magic V2, in China. One of the key features of this new device is its thin and light design. The vegan leather version of the Magic V2 is just 9.9mm thick when folded and weighs 231 grams. This makes it thinner and lighter than its major competitors in the market.
Comparing it to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Magic V2 is thinner and lighter, with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 measuring 14.2mm thick and weighing 263 grams when folded. Similarly, Google’s Pixel Fold is 12.1mm thick and weighs 283 grams, while Huawei’s Mate X3 is 11.8mm thick and weighs 239 grams when folded.
Hold the folded Honor Magic V2 in your hand, and you’ll find it almost feels like a non-folding smartphone. Its weight, along with its 6.43-inch exterior screen size, sits between the iPhone 14 Pro (206g) and iPhone 14 Pro Max (240g). In terms of thickness, the Magic V2 is not as thin as Apple’s recent flagships, which are 7.85mm thick, but it is in a similar range. It’s worth noting that the glass-backed version of the Magic V2 is slightly thicker and heavier than the vegan leather variant, measuring at 10.1mm thick and weighing 237 grams.
When asked about international availability, Honor did not confirm if or when the Magic V2 will be released outside of China. However, the fact that they proactively offered to send a review sample to a writer based in the UK suggests that they have ambitions for an international launch. Honor’s previous release strategy with the Magic VS foldable also indicates their willingness to bring the V2 to customers in Europe, if not the US.
Honor emphasizes the engineering work that has gone into making the Magic V2 so thin. According to a press release, a “proprietary steel” makes up 67 percent of the material in the hinge, and this material is 25 percent thinner and 20 percent stronger than what the company used in the Magic VS. The redesigned support structure on the hinge also reduces thickness by 75 percent.
During testing, the hinge on the Honor Magic V2 felt smoother and less stiff compared to the Magic VS. There is also a satisfying clunk when it fully opens up. The durability of the hinge over time is a big question, especially since there is no IP rating for dust and water resistance. However, Honor claims that the hinge should be able to withstand 400,000 folding cycles, which is equivalent to roughly 100 openings and closings a day for 10 years. Although there is still a visible crease on the device, it becomes easy to ignore once you start using it.
Both of the Honor Magic V2’s screens have a refresh rate of 120Hz. The external screen measures 6.43 inches with a 20:9 aspect ratio, 2376 x 1060 resolution, and a peak brightness of 2,500 nits. The internal folding display is 7.92 inches with an almost square resolution of 2344 x 2156 and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. The construction of the internal screen’s material was not confirmed, but it feels like plastic.
As the software on the Honor Magic V2 provided for review was extremely preproduction, there were no comments regarding the software or camera experience. The device even lacked an on-screen keyboard upon arrival, requiring an external keyboard to set it up. It remains to be seen if Honor has addressed the software issues experienced with the Magic VS.
Apart from these aspects, the Magic V2’s specifications remain similar to its predecessor. Despite its thinner dimensions, it still features a 5,000mAh battery that supports fast charging at 66W. It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, an improvement from the Gen 1 in the previous model. Other features include a set of rear cameras (50-megapixel main, 50-megapixel ultrawide, and 20-megapixel telephoto), dual selfie cameras (both 16 megapixels), 16GB of RAM, and storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB.
In China, the Honor Magic V2 is available for purchase starting at ¥8,999 (around $1,254) and is expected to ship by July 27th. There is also an Ultimate Edition that comes with up to 1TB of storage and includes a stylus in the box. The Ultimate Edition starts at ¥11,999 (around $1,673).
With its thin and light design, along with its improved hinge and impressive display features, the Honor Magic V2 is a strong contender in the foldable smartphone market. The device offers a unique combination of form and functionality, making it a highly coveted option for tech enthusiasts worldwide. While its international availability remains uncertain, Honor’s proactive efforts to reach out to global reviewers suggests that it may not be long before the Magic V2 makes its way to other markets.
