Honor Magic V3 Review: Redefining the Foldable Experience

Honor has once again raised the bar with its Magic V3 foldable smartphone, promising to tackle some of the most pressing issues associated with this innovative form factor. Having spent a month with the device, I aim to explore whether its striking design is complemented by an equally impressive software experience. The Magic V3 is an ambitious leap forward in foldable technology, and the initial impressions certainly indicate that Honor is on the right path.

The Magic V3 is often described as slim, but that barely scratches the surface. When unfolded, the device measures just 4.4mm thick, which feels almost unbelievable for a smartphone of this type. While it may seem that future foldables will outstrip this model in terms of thinness, as it stands today, the Magic V3 sets a new standard for foldable design. The craftsmanship is evident, with an elegant, minimalist aesthetic that emphasizes its thin profile. This design pushes the boundaries of what users expect from smartphones, making it feel almost like a futuristic gadget from a science fiction film. Holding it in hand gives the impression of a delicate balance between strength and grace, a feat that many manufacturers struggle to achieve.

Maintaining the 20:9 aspect ratio of its predecessor, the Magic V2, the Magic V3 features a cover screen that seamlessly balances the usability of a smartphone with the expansive experience of a tablet when opened. This design choice mirrors Google’s decision for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but with some crucial differences. The cover display is not just a secondary feature; it serves as a fully functional screen that allows users to engage with apps, messages, and notifications without needing to unfold the device. The layout and touch responsiveness are commendable, making it feel like a natural extension of a traditional smartphone rather than a compromise. This design principle reflects Honor’s commitment to ensuring that the user experience remains fluid and intuitive, regardless of how the device is being used.

Folded, the Magic V3 measures 9.2mm, closely resembling the flagship Magic6 Pro, which is slightly slimmer at 8.9mm. The device weighs 230g, just a gram more than the Magic6 Pro, making it feel light in hand. When closed, it behaves like any conventional smartphone, albeit with a slightly taller display that offers additional real estate for interaction. This height enhancement does not compromise comfort, allowing for a familiar grip and easy navigation. Users will appreciate the tactile feedback from the buttons, which are well-placed for one-handed use, enhancing the overall ergonomics of the device. The thoughtful design considerations in terms of weight distribution also mean that the Magic V3 feels less cumbersome compared to some bulkier foldables on the market.

One of the standout design elements is the device’s highly chamfered edges. These edges provide a comfortable, smooth grip that feels refined and premium. When closed, the chamfer design ensures that the two sides of the screen separate easily, making it simple to open the device without excessive effort. This subtle yet significant design feature underscores Honor’s attention to detail, enhancing user interaction in a way that feels seamless and sophisticated. As users transition between folded and unfolded modes, the smooth edges contribute to a sense of continuity in the experience, making the device feel like a unified whole rather than two disparate parts.

Honor has improved durability with the Magic V3, achieving an IPX8 rating that enables submersion in water up to 1.5 meters, and Honor suggests it could withstand depths of up to 2.5 meters. The new materials used in the back panel enhance strength without compromising thinness, while the hinge is engineered to withstand over 500,000 folds and unfolds, a testament to its robustness. This durability is particularly reassuring for users who lead active lifestyles or those who frequently use their devices in various environments. The thoughtful incorporation of materials that can withstand everyday wear and tear ensures that the Magic V3 is not just a beautiful device, but also a practical one that can endure the rigors of daily life.

The outer display features a strengthened cover, but the real innovation lies in the foldable screen. Honor has developed a gel that hardens rapidly upon impact to minimize damage, showcasing its commitment to durability. This gel technology not only protects against accidental drops but also enhances the overall resilience of the screen. The foldable display, with its impressive flexibility and responsiveness, allows for a captivating visual experience. Reviewers have subjected the device to rigorous scenarios, with tests that include washing machines and weight hanging from the device, all suggesting that everyday usage won’t require excessive caution. This confidence in the device’s durability allows users to fully embrace the foldable experience without the anxiety typically associated with such high-tech devices.

Running on MagicOS, Honor’s customized version of Android, the software experience has improved compared to earlier iterations. While initial inconsistencies in the user interface across default apps have largely been resolved, the overall look can feel somewhat generic. A notable feature is the quick-launch bar that expands with a swipe, providing easy access to frequently used apps. This feature is particularly useful for power users who rely on multiple applications throughout the day, enabling them to navigate seamlessly between tasks without unnecessary delays. The overall responsiveness of the operating system complements the hardware, creating a cohesive experience that feels polished and well-integrated.

Multitasking on the inner screen is primarily centered around a full-screen application with a floating window overlay. Although side-by-side app views are possible, the method of activating this feature lacks intuitiveness. Users must swipe up, hold the current app, and drop it into a designated area, a process that could benefit from simplification. I personally prefer the side-by-side view for productivity, as it mirrors the experience of using two phones side by side. The current multitasking interface, while functional, could be refined to enhance user engagement and efficiency. Simplifying this process would empower users to fully utilize the potential of the foldable form factor, fostering a more productive and enjoyable experience.

Two critical aspects of the Magic V3 are its memory and battery performance. While it comes equipped with 12GB of RAM—similar to the Z Fold 6—Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts 16GB, with a significant portion allocated for the Gemini AI software. This leaves the difference in available RAM less pronounced than it may seem, but with Honor’s own AI routines, there is potential for optimization over time. At present, the Magic V3 handles typical smartphone tasks efficiently, but it may face challenges in the future due to limited overhead. The fluidity of operations and the device’s responsiveness lend themselves well to most common usage scenarios, though it remains to be seen how it will handle more intensive applications down the line.

Battery life emerges as a significant drawback. In its folded state, the Magic V3 competes well with rival devices, offering around 13 hours of use, depending on individual usage patterns. However, when opened, the screen consumes more power than competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or OnePlus Open. Users can expect around 10 hours of battery life if they steer clear of resource-intensive apps. This discrepancy highlights a key challenge in the design of foldables, where larger screens inherently demand more energy. Charging is quick, thanks to the included 66W charger, allowing for a full recharge in just 45 minutes, and it also supports wireless charging at up to 50W. The efficiency of the charging system is commendable, ensuring users can quickly return to using their devices without prolonged downtime. However, unless software updates can mitigate the increased power consumption, battery life remains a concern for the Magic V3.

In terms of camera capabilities, foldable phones often fall short compared to their conventional counterparts due to limited space for lenses. However, the cameras on the Magic V3 are “good enough for a flagship,” despite some image processing that leans toward smoothing and enhancing skin tones. The camera struggles slightly with exposure in challenging lighting conditions, underscoring the importance of optimal lighting for quality photography. Users can capture decent images for social media and everyday use, though photography enthusiasts might find the limitations frustrating. Honor has indeed made strides in improving camera performance since the Magic V2, yet it maintains a specific aesthetic vision for image output. The balance between quality and style reflects Honor’s commitment to meeting the needs of a broad user base.

As expected with foldables, the Magic V3 carries a high price tag, starting at £1,699 for the 512GB version in the UK. This places it in the same league as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6. Ultimately, Honor has delivered a device that, when folded, could easily pass for a traditional smartphone, while when opened, stands as one of the thinnest and lightest foldable options available today. This combination gives it a tangible competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving foldable smartphone market. The design and functionality of the Magic V3 demonstrate that Honor is committed to pushing the boundaries of technology while ensuring a user-friendly experience, making it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a cutting-edge foldable device.