I tried a foldable thing that scares giants: the Honor Magic V3.

Market smartphones folding does not come off. Or at least not in the way many would like. However, the leading brands in the sector do not stop their efforts and continue to supply products of this type to stores with the aim of achieving success at some point. The latest to do so was Honor, which at IFA Honor Magic V3 Released in Europea model that could make life particularly difficult for those who have hitherto been the undisputed kings.

The main reason for this statement is the design. In essence, the Honor Magic V3 is the thinnest folding on the market. 9.2 millimeters thick, to be precise. To put that number into context: It’s almost three millimeters thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, its main competitor, and just one millimeter thicker than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

On a larger scale, the numbers are also extremely positive. It is in the range of 220-230 grams.the same window that the iPhone 15 Pro Max sits in. Carrying the Honor Magic V3 in your hand or pocket feels exactly like smartphone common.

That a foldable gadget can boast what was previously announced is a real achievement for the brand and for the industry as a whole. Both from a purely technical point of view (it is a significant milestone that technology has evolved enough to reach this point) and from a market point of view. For the first time in five years, Neither thickness nor weight are a deal breaker when considering a purchase. smartphone folding.

Situation of Honor contrasts with similar brands such as Samsungwhose Galaxy Z Fold 6, although slimmer in the latest versions, is still far from the 9.2 mm that this Honor Magic V3 promises. This is a surprising scenario, given that the South Korean brand was one of the first to bring this type of device to market, and has been the one selling the most ever since – thanks mainly to more ambitious marketing strategies.

Honor Magic V3 and other common “buts” of foldable devices

As I already said, thickness and weight were the two main “buts” that accompanied the Honor Magic V3 before it appeared. smartphones folding. But they are not the only ones. Other common stars are price, fold grade, and durability. How does Honor Magic V3 behave in this regard?

As for the price, there is nothing new. This phone will go on sale for 1999 euros.similar to other non-clamshell foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It’s even more expensive than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. smartphones regular high-end models such as the Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max, which cost around 1,500 euros.

Certainly, folding – a more technically complex productso it makes some sense that it’s priced higher than the aforementioned models. However, even if that label is justified, it will inevitably make it more difficult for the public to even consider buying it.

As for durability, the brand guarantees that it has an IP8X rating and that the hinge mechanism can withstand 500,000 opening and closing cycles without incident and even resist. This is equivalent to 136 daily series over a period of ten years. Or almost 274 daily for five years. In this case, it is difficult to confirm Honor’s claim. However, if it is true, then there is nothing to worry about.

In hand, of course, Everything feels like a solid product. Nothing like the hinges of the first foldables that felt fragile, or the flexible screens of the first models that lacked rigidity. Fortunately, the use of different technologies in the chassis, hinges, or interior panel has allowed us to find ourselves in a completely different place in 2024.

However, everyone likes the Honor Magic V3. smartphone folding and, despite all the innovations laid down by the brand, It is more susceptible to impact or other adverse situations than a regular mobile phone. It’s just a matter of physics. And it’s not just this particular device, but any device in its category. No matter how much force is applied, moving parts will always be more vulnerable than solid components. That doesn’t mean it’s a fragile device to worry about all day, but it is true that in certain situations, like on the beach, I’d think twice about taking it out of my pocket – whereas with a regular one, I might have fewer qualms about doing so in the first place.

And finally: the fold mark. This Honor Magic V3, unfortunately, still has it. This remains an unresolved issue, as with all folding products.. However, it is less noticeable than in previous generations, both to the touch and to the light. Once you spend a few days with it, its presence fades into the background, but that does not mean that it is a feature that everyone would like to see disappear at some point.

What does it look like, apart from its collapsible role?

In addition to what was mentioned earlier, Honor Magic V3 is a fantastic phone. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the most powerful chip available smartphones Android at the moment, as well as a large amount of RAM and internal memory. Thanks to this, as well as software optimization, the Magic V3 is able to digest everything necessary without any doubt.

As for the screens, Honor made the right decision when it comes to ratio. The appearance does not have the proportions we are accustomed to in regular mobile phones, but it is very close. Nothing in common with the clearly more elongated format of some smartphones competitive folding This relationship seems much more natural.

The panel, on the other hand, provides good performance in all sectionsBoth the internal and external parts are made in AMOLED format, support the Dolby Vision standard, have a dynamic refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and a pixel density of over 400 dots per inch.

The big difference between the two screens, at least on paper, is brightness: Brightness is 5000 nits outside and 1800 nits inside. Both ensure correct playback of HDR content, as well as correct visibility outdoors. Of course, it is important to clarify two things:

• As for the internal display, its competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 promise 2600 nits of brightness. A step behind.
• The 5,000 nits of the external display should be taken with a grain of salt. Like other brands, this crazy number only works in certain scenarios, and not in most everyday situations.

When it comes to photography, the Honor Magic V3 generally does a good job. great jobI wouldn’t consider it the benchmark in the sector – I’ll leave that spot to the Pixel 9 Pro, iPhone, and, to a lesser extent, the S24 Ultra, which are all steps ahead – but I believe it lives up to what’s expected in most situations.

In particular, the Honor Magic V3 mounts main camera with 50 megapixel sensorperiscope with a 50 MP sensor (3.5x magnification) and a wide-angle with a resolution of 40 MP. A versatile and effective offer.

Just like all phones of a certain level, Its sensors are enhanced by various artificial intelligence algorithms. which improve the final results and even allow creative editing, removing unwanted objects, etc. These are all interesting features and certainly desirable, although, yes, most of them are not differentiators, as they are starting to be found in the vast majority of high-end phones.

The same goes for other software features beyond the camera, such as front translation, the Honor Notes app, or the ability to control the device from a laptop thanks to the brand’s ecosystem. These are certainly useful ideas, but in 2024 They don’t differentiate this offer from the competition.since most brands like Samsung or Xiaomi also offer them.

When it comes to aesthetics, There’s little positive to say about the Honor Magic V3.. The product fits comfortably in the hand, the touch of various materials is pleasant, the lines are simple but effective. Only the camera module slightly violates this simplicity by choosing an octagonal ring.

And finally, autonomy. Is Milestone that Honor manages to fit just over 5000mAh (500 mAh more than the Galaxy Z Fold 6) in such a thin phone. And in practice, they are appreciated. Its battery life will not top the charts, but it is quite good. More than enough to withstand regular and even somewhat intensive days of use without worry.

To quickly recharge, fortunately, we have 66w wired charging and 50 wirelessly – more than enough to get you out of any situation.