Foldable smartphones are no longer a futuristic concept. In recent years, they have shifted from being niche gadgets to mainstream innovations that represent the cutting edge of mobile technology. Among the many brands pushing boundaries, Honor has emerged as a serious contender, steadily carving its place in the premium foldable segment. With the launch of the Honor Magic V5, the company claims the crown for the thinnest book-style foldable in the world.
Yet, here’s the twist: that title doesn’t really tell the whole story. While Honor’s engineering achievement deserves praise, what truly sets the Magic V5 apart isn’t just its ultra-slim profile—it’s the way it balances design, battery life, performance, and value in a category that often compromises practicality for innovation.
Read More: Unlock Freedom: Control Your Phone Effortlessly with Google’s Powerful Voice Access App
The Slimmest Foldable Ever—But Does It Matter?
On paper, the Honor Magic V5 is indeed the thinnest book-style foldable. Measuring only a hair slimmer than competitors like the Oppo Find N5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the V5 beats them by just 0.1mm. That’s equivalent to four-thousandths of an inch—an almost imperceptible difference to the human eye or hand.
Even when placed side by side with the Find N5, the difference is virtually unnoticeable. So, while the title of “world’s thinnest foldable” looks great in a marketing campaign, in real-world usage, it doesn’t dramatically change the experience.
This brings us to an important truth: foldable phones have reached the point of diminishing returns when it comes to thinness. We’re unlikely to see dramatic leaps forward in how slim these devices can get without sacrificing durability, battery capacity, or ergonomics.
Battery Life: A Real Competitive Edge
Where Honor truly wins with the Magic V5 is in battery performance. Foldable smartphones often struggle with endurance because their compact form leaves little room for large batteries. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, for example, still faces criticism for its average longevity.
Honor, however, seems to have solved that problem. The Magic V5 delivers noticeably longer battery life than both the Find N5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This is a genuine advantage—one that addresses a key hesitation for many users considering the switch to foldables. After all, what good is cutting-edge technology if it can’t last a full day of real-world use?
Honor’s optimization here is no small feat. The company has managed to pack in efficiency improvements without making compromises on design or performance. For consumers, this means you get both sleekness and stamina, an unusual combination in the foldable world.
Price and Availability
The Honor Magic V5 officially launched in China last month and has now made its way to Europe. Priced at £1,699.99 / €1,999 (around $2,300), it sits firmly in the premium smartphone category. While that may sound expensive, it actually undercuts Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series in some markets and offers broader availability than Oppo’s Find N5, which is still restricted to Asia.
Unfortunately for American buyers, there’s no sign that Honor will release the V5 in the United States. This isn’t surprising, given the brand’s limited presence there, but it does mean US consumers will need to import if they want to get their hands on it.
Design and Build Quality
Beyond thinness, the Honor Magic V5 continues the company’s tradition of sleek, premium design. It maintains the book-style form factor, with a smooth hinge mechanism that feels sturdy and refined. Honor has clearly prioritized ergonomics here—the device folds flat without visible gaps, giving it a polished, modern appeal.
The external display remains vibrant and practical, while the internal folding screen offers an immersive tablet-like experience. Both panels deliver sharp resolution and rich colors, making them excellent for streaming, reading, or productivity tasks.
Honor’s design philosophy seems clear: focus less on beating competitors in fractions of millimeters and more on delivering a product that feels cohesive and premium in everyday use.
Performance and Software
Powering the Honor Magic V5 is a top-tier processor paired with generous RAM and storage options, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming performance. Like its predecessors, the V5 handles intensive workloads without overheating or lagging—a vital consideration for a foldable that doubles as both a phone and a productivity device.
On the software side, Honor’s custom skin over Android continues to mature. It’s optimized for foldable use, offering intuitive multitasking features, split-screen modes, and app continuity between displays. While Samsung still leads in foldable software innovation, Honor has closed much of the gap, delivering a seamless and user-friendly experience.
Cameras: Reliable but Not Revolutionary
Foldables have historically struggled to match the camera performance of traditional flagship smartphones due to design limitations. The Honor Magic V5 offers a versatile setup with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, capable of producing sharp, detailed images in good lighting conditions.
While the cameras may not outperform the very best from Apple or Samsung’s slab-style flagships, they are more than sufficient for everyday photography and social media use. Honor has struck a balance, ensuring the camera system complements the device without overshadowing its other strengths.
The Bigger Picture: Diminishing Returns in Foldables
The Magic V5 highlights a broader industry trend: foldable phones are entering a stage of refinement rather than radical reinvention. The race to create thinner, lighter, and more compact devices has reached practical limits.
This doesn’t mean foldables are stagnating—far from it. Instead, improvements are shifting toward usability, durability, and efficiency. For example, enhanced hinges, longer battery life, better multitasking software, and stronger materials will likely define the next phase of innovation. Honor seems to recognize this shift and is positioning the Magic V5 as more than just a “thin phone”—it’s a complete, well-rounded package.
Should You Buy the Honor Magic V5?
For European and Asian consumers, the Magic V5 represents one of the most compelling foldables available today. It combines premium design, long battery life, and competitive pricing in a segment often criticized for its compromises.
If you’re choosing between Samsung, Oppo, and Honor, the decision may come down to availability and ecosystem preferences. Samsung still has the strongest global support and software features, while Oppo remains restricted to Asia. Honor, with its aggressive pricing and international expansion, hits a sweet spot—offering cutting-edge innovation without locking you into a limited market.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What makes the Honor Magic V5 the world’s thinnest foldable?
The Honor Magic V5 measures slightly slimmer than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Oppo Find N5—just 0.1mm thinner. While the difference is almost invisible to the eye, it shows Honor’s precision engineering.
Is the thinness of the Magic V5 noticeable in real use?
Not really. The difference is so small that most users won’t feel or see it. What matters more is that Honor balanced slimness with durability, battery life, and performance.
How does the battery life of the Honor Magic V5 compare to rivals?
Battery life is one of the Magic V5’s strongest advantages. It outlasts both the Oppo Find N5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, making it more reliable for heavy daily use.
What is the price of the Honor Magic V5?
The Magic V5 costs £1,699.99 / €1,999 (around $2,300) in Europe. While premium, it is still more affordable than some Samsung foldables.
Where is the Honor Magic V5 available?
It launched first in China and is now available in Europe. Currently, there are no official plans for a U.S. release.
How does the Honor Magic V5 compare with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?
Samsung still leads in software optimization and ecosystem integration, but the Magic V5 offers better battery life, slimmer design, and competitive pricing.
Does the Honor Magic V5 have strong cameras?
The cameras are reliable and versatile, though not the best in the foldable category. They perform well for everyday photography but don’t surpass flagship slab phones like the iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Conclusion
The Honor Magic V5 may wear the crown as the thinnest foldable smartphone in the world, but its true value extends far beyond that headline feature. Honor has shown that innovation isn’t just about shaving off fractions of a millimeter—it’s about creating a device that balances elegance with performance, practicality, and endurance. With impressive battery life, a refined design, premium build quality, and competitive pricing, the Magic V5 proves foldables are finally evolving into everyday devices rather than experimental showcases. For users seeking a foldable that doesn’t compromise on usability, the Honor Magic V5 stands out as one of the most complete and compelling options on the market today.
