Honor Magic V3 Review: The Pinnacle of Foldable Phone Innovation

Honor has once again redefined the limits of smartphone design with the release of the Magic V3. Following the success of the Magic V2, which brought foldable phone thickness to under 10mm, the Honor Magic V3 pushes the boundaries even further. Boasting a 9.2mm thickness in its folded state and an incredible 4.35mm when unfolded, the Magic V3 is not just a technological marvel; it’s a statement of what the future holds for foldable smartphones.

Here are our thoughts on the phone after almost 3 weeks with it as a main driver.

HONOR Magic V3 – Technical Specifications

• Internal Screen: 7.92-inch (2344 x 2156 pixels) FHD+ OLED, 9.78:9 aspect ratio, LTPO display with 120Hz refresh rate, 4320Hz high-frequency PWM eye protection, HDR10+, 1.07 billion colors, DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut, up to 5000 nits brightness, Dolby Vision, stylus support.
• External Screen: 6.43-inch (2376 x 1060 pixels) FHD+ OLED, 20:9 aspect ratio, LTPO display with 120Hz refresh rate, 4320Hz high-frequency PWM eye protection, HDR10+, 1.07 billion colors, DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut, up to 5000 nits brightness.
• Other Display Features: Rhino glass, multi-touch, AI defocus eye protection.
• Dimensions: 156.6 x 145.3 mm (74.0 mm when folded) × 4.35 / 4.4 mm (9.2 / 9.3 mm when folded).
• Weight: 226 g (Leather); 230 g (Glass).
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Adreno 750.
• Storage: 12 GB / 16 GB RAM (LPDDR5X RAM) with 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (UFS 4.0).
• Rear Camera: 50 MP Main (f/1.6) OIS, 1/1.56-inch sensor; 50 MP Periscope (f/3.0) OIS, 1/2.51-inch large sensor, 3.5x optical zoom, 100x digital zoom; 40 MP Ultra-wide (f/2.2) with 112° ultra-wide viewing angle.
• Front Camera: 20 MP (f/2.2), 90° smart wide-angle selfie, 4K video shooting.
• Battery: 5150 mAh; 66W Wired SuperCharge; 50W Wireless SuperCharge; Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen1) supports DP1.2.
• Audio: USB Type-C audio, stereo speakers, DTS Ultra Audio.
• Sensors: Gravity, infrared, side fingerprint, hall, gyro, ambient light sensor, proximity light sensor, barometer.
• Connectivity: Dual SIM, 5G SA/NSA, dual 4G VoLTE, dual-satellite communication, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be), screen casting, NFC, support for Beidou, dual-frequency GPS, Bluetooth 5.3.
• Resistance: IPX8 dust and water resistant.
• Operating System: MagicOS 8.0.1 (Android 14)

Pricing and availability

The device is now available from Honor’s official website, in Reddish Brown, Black and Green color options.

You can buy it from Honor.com

Design and Build: A Feat of Engineering

The Magic V3’s design is a testament to Honor’s commitment to innovation. At just 9.2mm thick when folded, it sets a new benchmark in the industry, making it the thinnest foldable phone available. This reduction in thickness from the Magic V2’s 9.9mm might seem minor on paper, but in practice, it’s a significant leap that enhances usability and comfort.

In the hand, the Magic V3 feels almost as light as a traditional smartphone, weighing in at just 226g. This is lighter than flagship phones like the Samsung S24 Ultra (232g) and Huawei Mate 60 RS (242g), making it a practical choice for those who desire the benefits of a foldable without the usual heft.

The phone’s external and internal screens are masterpieces in their own right. The 6.43-inch OLED outer screen is protected by Honor’s King Kong Giant Rhinoceros Glass, which increases hardness tenfold. Meanwhile, the 7.92-inch inner screen provides a crisp 2344×2156 resolution, ensuring that visuals are vibrant and detailed. The LTPO substrate in both screens allows for an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz, balancing smooth performance with power efficiency.

Battery and Charging: Power in a Slim Package

One of the most impressive feats of the Magic V3 is its ability to pack a 5150 mAh battery into such a thin and light body. This is achieved through the use of Honor’s third-generation Qinghai Lake battery technology, which increases energy density while reducing battery size. This innovation not only extends battery life but also allows room for features like 50W wireless charging—a first in foldable phones.

In our testing, the Magic V3’s battery performed admirably. With regular use, including streaming videos and browsing the web, the battery comfortably lasted a full day, and the 66W wired charging capability ensured that the device was quickly powered up when needed. Charging from 20% to 100% took just over 40 minutes, a remarkable speed for such a large battery.

Camera: All the Power in a Slim Frame

The Honor Magic V3 doesn’t compromise on camera quality despite its slim profile. The device is equipped with a triple-camera system, including a 50MP main camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, and a 40MP ultra-wide-angle lens. This setup provides a versatile photography experience, capable of capturing stunning shots in a variety of conditions.

In our tests, the Magic V3’s main camera delivered vibrant colors and rich detail, even in challenging lighting conditions. The periscope telephoto lens, with up to 100x digital zoom, maintained impressive clarity at high magnifications, thanks to the advanced computational photography technology that optimizes image details.

Night photography was equally impressive, with the Magic V3’s night mode producing clear, well-balanced images without the noise typically seen in low-light photos. The ultra-wide-angle lens also performed admirably, capturing wide vistas without noticeable distortion, thanks to its built-in correction capabilities.

User Experience: Innovation Meets Usability

The Honor Magic V3 is designed not just to impress on paper but to deliver a top-tier user experience. The dual high-frequency PWM eye protection technology integrated into both the internal and external screens reduces eye strain, even during prolonged use. This feature is part of Honor’s new AI-powered “Out of Focus” eye protection system, which intelligently adjusts the screen’s focus to alleviate the stress on your eyes—a feature particularly beneficial for users who spend long hours reading or watching videos.

The Magic V3 also excels in multitasking, thanks to its intuitive Dock bar and split-screen functionalities. Users can easily switch between apps or run multiple apps simultaneously, making the most of the expansive inner screen. The parallel space feature allows the device to run two separate systems simultaneously, keeping work and personal life distinct yet accessible.

Satellite Communication: A Lifeline When You Need It

One of the standout features of the Magic V3 is its integration of Honor’s Hongyan satellite communication technology. This feature, debuting in the foldable phone segment, provides dual satellite communication capabilities, ensuring reliable connectivity even in remote areas. In our tests, the phone connected to a satellite in just 15 seconds, a crucial advantage in emergency situations.

The Magic V3 supports real-time satellite calls and two-way SMS, offering a vital communication link when traditional networks are unavailable. This feature, combined with the phone’s long battery life, makes the Magic V3 a reliable companion for adventurers and professionals who often find themselves off the grid.

Conclusion

The Honor Magic V3 is a groundbreaking device that pushes the boundaries of what foldable smartphones can achieve. It combines cutting-edge technology with a slim and lightweight design, offering a seamless blend of performance, durability, and usability. Whether you’re looking for a device that excels in photography, offers long-lasting battery life, or provides robust communication capabilities, the Magic V3 delivers on all fronts.

For those in the market for a foldable smartphone, the Honor Magic V3 is a top contender. It redefines the standards for what a foldable phone can be, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice functionality for form. At a time when many foldable phones still struggle with bulk and limited features, the Magic V3 stands out as a truly all-around device, combining the best of both worlds in a sleek, innovative package.