The foldable market has never been this exciting, and the arrival of the HONOR Magic V5 in the Philippines proves why.
Priced at ₱89,999, this premium device delivers the best of both worlds—a regular smartphone and a compact tablet—in one incredibly slim and durable package. Unfolded, it measures only about 4.1mm thin, and 8.8mm when folded, making it feel more like a standard flagship phone than a foldable.
During its pre-launch event at Baked Studios Makati, HONOR even showcased its technological durability, earning a Guinness World Record certification that left the crowd amazed.
The design is stunning, especially the Dawn Gold variant, which shifts from dark bronze to champagne hues. Despite its ultra-thin form, the Magic V5 feels sturdy, thanks to its reinforced hinge and IP58/59 water and dust resistance. While the large camera bump adds some heft and the power button placement could be more ergonomic, these are small trade-offs for a device that feels this refined.
Both displays are impressive: a 6.43-inch OLED cover screen and a 7.95-inch OLED inner display, each offering 120Hz refresh rate and up to 5,000 nits peak brightness. The crease is barely noticeable, and the screens deliver vibrant colors, smooth scrolling, and great sunlight visibility.
Whether folded or unfolded, the Magic V5 provides a premium viewing experience enhanced by loud stereo speakers that rival even Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7.
Under the hood, it’s powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring fast and fluid performance for gaming, multitasking, and editing. Though slightly underclocked on paper, the real-world experience is seamless—apps open instantly, thermals are well-managed, and even demanding games like Genshin Impact run without hiccups.
Running on MagicOS, the Magic V5 integrates practical AI tools that genuinely improve productivity. Features like Magic Portal, which lets you drag text or images to share or search instantly, and AI Translate and AI Writing, which generate captions or summaries, make multitasking effortless.
There’s also the creative Image to Video feature that animates still photos, offering three free uses before a small fee per generation. What’s most impressive is how well the software complements its foldable design—you can multitask with three windows open, use the main camera for selfies via the cover screen, and even pair it with a wireless keyboard for full-on productivity.
The camera system is where the Magic V5 truly shines. It packs a 50MP main sensor (f/1.6, OIS), a 64MP telephoto lens (3x optical zoom), a 50MP ultrawide, and dual 20MP selfie cameras on both displays. Photo quality rivals top-tier flagships, with excellent detail, vibrant yet natural colors, and consistent tone across lenses.
The portrait mode offers classic and cinematic looks, including HONOR’s signature Harcourt style, while features like Auto Capture, RAW shooting, and cover-screen animations for kids add creative flexibility. Zoom performance is also outstanding, maintaining clarity even at high magnifications. Video shooting is equally impressive, with crisp and stable 4K footage perfect for vlogs and event coverage. For creators, this is easily one of the most versatile camera foldables available today.
In terms of audio and endurance, the Magic V5 continues to impress. The stereo speakers deliver rich, loud sound ideal for movies or music playback, and the 5,820mAh battery provides more than a full day of heavy use. Charging is quick with 66W wired and 50W wireless, and HONOR includes the charger, cable, and case in the box—an increasingly rare gesture in 2025. Connectivity is also top-notch, with 5G, eSIM support, and ultra-fast WiFi making uploads and streaming effortless, especially for travelers and content creators.
Ultimately, the HONOR Magic V5 combines elegance, power, and practicality in a way that few foldables can. It’s thin, durable, and beautiful, with flagship-level performance, premium displays, and a camera system that rivals non-foldable flagships.
HONOR’s build quality and hardware polish make this device a genuine contender.
Available through Globe Postpaid’s GPlan Plus 1799 for around ₱2,813/month (with a free Pad X8a), it’s also surprisingly accessible for a foldable of this caliber.
If you’re looking for a foldable that truly works as your daily driver—for productivity, creativity, and entertainment—the HONOR Magic V5 is not just an option; it’s the foldable to beat in 2025.
