When you think of foldable phones, the first worry is usually the size and weight. Most foldables feel thick and heavy in the pocket. But Honor has changed that with the Honor Magic V5, a phone that is so thin it almost feels like a normal smartphone. At just 4.1mm at its thinnest point when opened, it beats Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 by a tiny 0.1mm. Some say it depends on whether you count the screen protector or not, but either way, this phone is crazy thin.
The price is not small though. Starting at £1,700 (around $2,299), the Magic V5 costs less than Samsung’s foldable but is still very expensive. Honor does not officially sell in the US, but people can import it if they really want to try the world’s slimmest foldable.
Super Slim Design
The Magic V5 is only 8.8mm thick when folded, almost the same as a normal phone. That means you can slide it easily into your jeans pocket. Compared to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or the OnePlus Open, it feels light and skinny.
The only part that sticks out is the camera bump, which adds 7mm more thickness. This makes the phone almost double in size at that spot. As a result, while the phone feels slim overall, the camera makes it a little harder to rest flat.
Honor says the Magic V5 is not fragile. In fact, it holds a Guinness World Record for lifting 104 kilograms of weight. It also has IP59 water and dust resistance, which helps protect it from splashes and dirt. However, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is still ahead with IP68 resistance, offering better safety against dust and water.
Big and Bright Displays
Inside, the Magic V5 has a 7.95-inch display. This makes movies, games, and multitasking very enjoyable. The screen is nearly square, so movies play with black bars, but the overall viewing experience is still great. The crease in the middle is not very visible in daily use.
On the outside, there is a 6.43-inch display that is bright, colorful, and works just like any normal phone. That means you don’t always need to open the fold to get things done quickly.
Power and Software
The Honor Magic V5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, one of the most powerful processors in smartphones today. Games like PUBG and Genshin Impact run smoothly even on the highest settings. Performance is fast and fluid, whether for apps, browsing, or multitasking.
It comes with Android 15 out of the box, and Honor promises an update to Android 16 later. On top of Android, Honor has its own user interface (UI). This adds changes to icons, apps, and settings, but it’s still easy to use.
Honor also includes some AI tools like:
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AI image editor (remove objects, expand background).
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AI image-to-video generator (creates moving videos from photos).
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AI tools for creative editing.
Of course, you still get Google AI features like Gemini Live and Circle to Search. Honor promises seven years of software and security updates, which is a huge plus for long-term use.
Cameras
The phone has a big camera setup that makes photography powerful. While it adds to the phone’s thickness, it also means you can expect strong performance in photos and videos. Honor has not cut corners here.
Should You Buy the Honor Magic V5?
The Honor Magic V5 is a beautiful, slim, and powerful foldable phone. If you want a foldable that feels like a normal phone in your pocket, this is the best choice in 2025. However, it is still very expensive and not officially available in the US. If you are in Europe or Asia, it is easier to buy.
Pros:
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Super slim and light design.
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Large, bright screens.
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Strong Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.
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AI tools and Android 15.
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Seven years of updates.
Cons:
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Expensive price.
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Camera bump makes it thick in one spot.
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No official US availability.
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IP59 only, not IP68.
Final Verdict
In this Honor Magic V5 Review, we can say this phone is proof of how far foldable technology has come. From heavy and bulky designs a few years ago to a device this slim and stylish, the Magic V5 is a big step forward. If you can handle the price and availability issues, it is one of the best foldables in the world today.