Honor introduces the world's thinnest foldable.
With some reservations.
Honor has unveiled the Magic V5, which it proclaims as the world's thinnest foldable phone, although this title only applies to the white version and excludes the protruding camera module. The device launch takes place today in China, and the company has announced that it will reach international markets “soon.”
With a thickness of 8.8 mm when closed, the V5 stands out for its slimness, surpassing the Oppo Find N5, which measures 8.9 mm. While the difference is minimal, the slight curvature of Honor's device may make it feel a bit thinner than its competitor. However, this perception is limited to the "Ivory White" version, as the other colors have a thickness of 9 mm due to the materials used, such as fiber and vegan leather, which differ from the "special fiber" of the white version.
An important aspect to consider is the camera module. The Magic V5's triple rear camera setup protrudes almost twice as much as that of the Oppo, contributing to the phone feeling generally thicker. Although the higher specifications, with higher resolution sensors and faster apertures in most cases, justify that additional weight, it weakens the claim of being the "thinnest in the world."
When the device is open, its frame measures 4.1 mm, placing it slightly ahead of the Oppo, which measures 4.2 mm. It is worth noting that neither of these phones is as thin as the Huawei Mate X, which at its thinnest point reaches 3.6 mm, although it does not include a USB-C port.
The competition for thinness is not uncharted territory for Honor. Before the launch of the Oppo Find N5, Honor's Magic V3 was the thinnest foldable on the market. Next week, Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is expected to be significantly thinner, though probably only slightly thicker than Honor's model. Honor does not emphasize this aspect, but the Magic V5 could also be the lightest foldable in the world, sharing this title with the Vivo X Fold 5, presented last week, as both weigh 217 g.
If all this sounds like a game of numbers and millimeters, it’s because it is. In reviewing the Oppo Find N5, I mentioned that it would mark the beginning of a decline in the performance of foldable phones, and here we are. Without giving up the USB-C port or adopting an asymmetrical design, there simply isn't room for these phones to become significantly thinner, so foldable device manufacturers will need to find new ways to generate anticipation for future releases.
Fortunately for Honor, the Magic V5 boasts sufficiently attractive specifications. It is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite, coupled with up to 16 GB of RAM and a large 5,820 mAh battery. Both screens use 120 Hz LTPO OLED panels, feature wireless charging, and have IP58 and IP59 ratings for dust and water resistance, which nearly matches that of any non-foldable phone.
