When we think of foldable smartphones, we often imagine thick, bulky devices. But those days are over! Honor unveiled its Honor Magic V3 at this year's IFA in Berlin, and believe me, it's going to shake up all your certainties about foldable phones. With its ultra-thin design and cutting-edge technologies, this new addition to the Honor family could well be the star of 2024. I had the opportunity to take it in hand at IFA, where it made a big impression on me. So when I had the chance to test it, I didn't hesitate :)
As a tech enthusiast for over 20 years, I've seen a lot of innovations come and go, but this one really deserves a closer look. Imagine a foldable smartphone as thin as a conventional one: at just 9.2 mm when folded, the Honor Magic V3 is a technological revolution.
What's immediately striking is the attention to detail. Honor has not simply created another foldable smartphone, but has completely rethought the user experience. From the ultra-sophisticated hinge system to the virtually crease-free screen, every element has been meticulously designed to deliver a premium experience.
But enough chit-chat, let's find out in more detail without further ado!
Unpacking the Honor Magic V3: a stunning first impression!
Ah, the long-awaited moment of unpacking! It's a bit like Christmas, only geekier. As soon as you open the Honor Magic V3 box, you know you're dealing with something serious. The packaging is neat, elegant and premium.
Inside we find the Honor Magic V3, a Usb-C charging cable and a double protective shell. And yes, this new foldable smartphone format is going to pose a few constraints when it comes to protection.
The first thing that strikes you is the incredible thinness of the device. At 9.2 mm thick when folded, the Magic V3 almost makes other foldable smartphones look like bricks. Quite simply, it's barely thicker than an iPhone 14!
It's hard to believe that this is a foldable phone. Honor has really pulled off a technical tour de force here.
In hand, the Magic V3 is surprisingly light. At 226 grams, it's certainly no featherweight, but for a device of this size, it's quite reasonable. It's pleasant to hold, the edges are well rounded and the phone doesn't slip. The matte coating on the rear gives it an extra touch of elegance, while resisting fingerprints (an important detail for maniacs like me!).
The hinge system deserves a special mention. Honor has opted for a super-steel mechanism, certified to withstand no less than 500,000 opening and closing cycles. This is reassuring for long-term durability. Opening is fluid, with just the right amount of resistance to give an impression of solidity.
Let's talk a little about the screens, as this is obviously the crux of the matter for a foldable smartphone. On the outside, there's a 6.3-inch OLED screen that covers almost the entire front surface. When unfolded, the Magic V3 reveals its impressive 7.92-inch internal AMOLED screen. Display quality is stunning on both screens, with vivid colors and deep blacks.
A detail that's sure to impress you: the fold in the center of the internal screen is barely visible! It's a real technical feat that contributes greatly to the device's premium experience.
On the connectivity side, there's a USB-C port at the bottom, and the volume and power buttons on the right-hand side. The latter also incorporates a fast, precise fingerprint sensor.
But the icing on the cake is the IPX8 certification! Yes, you read that right, this foldable smartphone is water-resistant. It can even survive immersion up to 2.5 meters for 30 minutes. (Well, I wouldn't advise you to take it scuba diving, though!)
To sum up, unpacking the Honor Magic V3 and getting to grips with it for the first time is a real experience. You feel you're holding a device that pushes the limits of mobile technology. It's the kind of smartphone that makes you want to show it off to all your friends and say, “Just look at this jewel!”
In use: impressive everyday performance
First, a quick video preview:
Dual screen: a rethought user experience
The Magic V3's dual-screen experience revolutionizes everyday smartphone use. On the outside, the 6.43-inch OLED screen in 20:9 format offers classic, comfortable operation for quick tasks. When unfolded, an impressive 7.92-inch internal screen with a 9.78:9 aspect ratio, close to square, is revealed, ideal for multitasking.
The transition between screens is perfectly fluid, with applications automatically adapting to the chosen format without data loss or interruption. This advanced optimization truly transforms the user experience, making the Magic V3 as versatile as it is effective.
In everyday use, what's most impressive is the sensation of using a “normal” smartphone when folded, while being able to switch to a tablet experience in an instant. The transition between the two formats is natural and convenient.
MagicOS 8.0.1, based on Android 14, which powers this smartphone, offers an interface specially designed to take advantage of this unique configuration.
Gesture-based navigation and drag-and-drop functionality between applications are perfectly optimized for the foldable format. The system also features a floating windows mode, enabling applications to be superimposed for greater flexibility.
The “Parallel Space” function allows you to manage two distinct, secure spaces to separate your professional and personal lives. For example, you can check your work emails on one side and personal ones on the other, as if you had two phones in one.
The Honor Magic V3 excels particularly in multi-screen collaboration. Not only does it enable seamless interaction between phone, computer and tablet, but it also offers a unique multitasking mode on its foldable screen. This means you can process emails on one part of the screen while consulting documents on the other.
Raw power is on hand with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, coupled with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. Day-to-day fluidity is exemplary, whether for browsing, multitasking or the most demanding games. I put it through the PCMark benchmark for Android:
PCMark for Android is a comprehensive benchmark that evaluates a smartphone's overall performance across everyday use scenarios such as web browsing, photo editing and document manipulation.
The Honor Magic V3 achieves a Work 3.0 Performance score of 16,285 points, demonstrating excellent overall performance. Autonomy is rated at 14h10 in the Work 3.0 Battery Life test, demonstrating remarkable endurance.
The Storage 2.0 score of 43622 points reveals impressive storage performance, with :
- Internal sequential read: 3198.1 MB/s
- Internal sequential write: 2632.69 MB/s
- External sequential read: 2867.41 MB/s
- External sequential write: 2372.05 MB/s
Performance monitoring shows a stable CPU frequency oscillating between 1 and 2 GHz during tests, with efficient thermal management keeping performance constant.
Gaming is a real pleasure on this large screen. Games run smoothly, even if there is a slight heating up during intensive sessions. This is understandable, given the device's extreme thinness, which limits cooling possibilities.
For movie viewing, on the other hand, this large screen is of little interest. For example, you can use the large interface in Netflix to browse through your films:
The viewing itself remains in 16:9 format, with large black bands at the top and bottom, while the widescreen format is more like 4:3. As a result, the movie image is no larger than that visible on another smartphone in landscape mode.
Autonomy is quite satisfactory with its 5150 mAh battery. In moderate mixed use, it can last two days, especially if the external screen is preferred. Recharging is impressive: 66W wired for a full charge in 48 minutes, and 50W wireless.
Honor has not neglected visual comfort, with the integration of a 4320Hz PWM dimming system and AI-driven natural color display technology, considerably reducing eyestrain during prolonged use.
Photography: a complete, high-performance system
The Honor Magic V3's photo system is impressive with its triple-sensor configuration. The 50 MP main module with f/1.6 aperture and optical stabilization captures detailed shots with excellent color management. Photos are 12.5 MP by default, but you can activate the high-resolution mode to take advantage of the full 50 MP.
The 50 MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom (90mm equivalent) represents a clear improvement on the previous generation. Zoomed-in photos retain an excellent level of detail, even if there is a slight loss of sharpness in some shots.
Portrait mode offers a natural, adjustable bokeh, even if the default skin smoothing may seem a little pronounced. Super Macro mode, accessible via the “More” menu, uses the ultra-wide-angle lens for amazingly precise close-up shots.
In low-light conditions, the main camera defends itself honorably. However, there is a slight “watercolor” effect in dark areas, and processing can be a little aggressive on sharpness. White balance remains accurate even in mixed lighting.
Video capture in 4K at 30 fps is excellent on the main sensor, with a fine dynamic range and faithful colors. Stabilization is particularly good on the main and ultra-wide-angle sensors, enabling smooth panning and good shake compensation.
A particularly interesting feature for vloggers: the external screen can be used as a control screen for the subject when shooting with the main sensors. What's more, in unfolded mode, the 50 MP main sensor can be used for high-resolution selfies.
In short, while the Honor Magic V3 doesn't quite reach the level of the best photophones on the market, it nevertheless offers a versatile, high-performance photo package that will satisfy the vast majority of users.
A word about the protection provided, which consists of a very thin part for the front screen, and a slightly more conventional shell for the rear:
We won't be at the level of shells like those offered by Cadetify or Rinoshield, for example, but it does have the advantage of being supplied with the smartphone. With a dual screen, and at this price level, I admit that you're always afraid of damaging it, even if the shell is made of aerospace-grade fibers, increasing shock resistance by 40 times.
The case doesn't add too much bulk to the smartphone, but has a handy ring around the camera, allowing it to be used as a stand:
The verdict: a new benchmark in the foldable market
After several weeks of intensive use of the Honor Magic V3, it's clear that this is a device that redefines the standards for foldable smartphones. Its exceptional slimness of 9.2 mm when folded completely changes the game: no more compromises between practicality and innovation!
What impresses most is the overall maturity of the product. Honor has succeeded in creating a smartphone that elegantly combines the advantages of a foldable format with the ergonomics of a traditional phone. The build quality, sturdy hinge and IPX8 certification testify to a design that's built to last.
Performance is top-notch in all areas. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 coupled with 16 GB RAM offers considerable power, while the photo section proves versatile and efficient. Autonomy, often a weak point of foldable devices, keeps its promises with comfortable use over two days.
Of course, the price remains high, as with all high-end foldable smartphones, since the retail price is 1999€, although it can be found quite easily at around 1500€. But for the first time, we really feel that the investment is justified. The Honor Magic V3 isn't just a technological gadget: it's a productive tool that can truly replace both your smartphone and your tablet. (And between you and me, it's the first foldable smartphone I've ever felt like keeping as my main device, which is no mean feat when you're testing dozens of devices a year!).
All in all, the Honor Magic V3 represents a turning point in the history of foldable smartphones. It proves that it is possible to design a foldable device without major compromises. If you're looking for an innovative smartphone that combines performance and practicality, the Honor Magic V3 clearly deserves your attention. The foldable revolution is underway, and Honor is now spearheading it!
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