Detailed Review of Honor Magic Vs
Overview of Honor Magic Vs
Honor, the Chinese tech giant, is making a comeback on the global stage with their latest offering – the Honor Magic Vs. This new foldable device is set to give Samsung some competition in the foldable phone market, which the latter has dominated for most of 2022.
The Honor Magic Vs may not be an entirely new model, but it is certainly an upgrade from its predecessor. With a larger battery and more powerful hardware, it promises better performance and longer battery life. The triple cameras and bright folding display remain unchanged from the previous model.
However, with all these improvements, it’s no surprise that the Honor Magic Vs is the most expensive Honor phone to date. Although it was released in China towards the end of November last year, it’s expected to hit global markets in early 2023.
Design of Honor Magic Vs
The Honor Magic Vs, a new smartphone model, has caught the attention of tech enthusiasts with its compact design and solid build. Measuring at 12.9mm thick when closed, the phone fits easily into pockets without any hassle. However, weighing at 267 grams, the device is noticeably heavy, which may cause fatigue after holding it for an extended period. This is not unique to the Magic Vs, though.
Once opened, the Honor Magic Vs showcases a chassis that is 6.1mm thick. Its wide cover screen is more practical than its Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 counterpart, and users have reported using it predominantly in this way. The only minor issue is the placement of the keyboard, which is positioned a bit low on the screen, but one can easily adjust to it.
The phone’s design is a mix of metal and glass, with a mirror-like finish on the frame and a textured matte finish on the back. Although the phone is not as slippery as regular glass, it is still advisable to keep a firm grip on it. The rear camera module protrudes slightly, but its rounded edges ensure that it does not get caught on your clothes when removing it from a pocket.
Overall, the Honor Magic Vs is a solid device with a few minor drawbacks. Its design and functionality make it an appealing option for those looking for a smartphone that fits comfortably in their pocket without sacrificing usability. The Honor Magic V smartphone has a design drawback that you should be aware of. Unlike Samsung’s latest foldable devices, the Magic V doesn’t have an official Ingress Protection (IP) rating for waterproofing. Honor hasn’t provided much information about the phone’s water resistance, so it’s unclear whether it’s safe to use it in wet conditions. During some light rain testing, the phone seemed to hold up well, but I wouldn’t recommend exposing it to much more moisture than that.
Camera of Honor Magic Vs
The Honor Magic Vs is a smartphone with impressive camera capabilities. It boasts a triple rear camera setup, including a 54-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and an 8-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Additionally, it features a 16-megapixel selfie camera, which is one less than the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s front-facing cameras.
It’s important to note that foldable devices can be fragile and prone to damage, even with high-end devices like Samsung. Therefore, if you’re considering purchasing one of these phones, be sure you’re prepared to handle the cost of repairs if needed. Having good insurance coverage can give you some peace of mind in case of damage.
Overall, while the Honor Magic Vs offers impressive camera features, it’s important to weigh the potential risks of investing in a foldable device. Samsung does have an advantage with more widespread repair facilities, but it’s up to the individual to decide what risks they’re willing to take.
Honor Magic Vs software and performance
MagicOS 7.1 is the user interface developed by Honor, based on Android 13 operating system. Users who have previously used a Huawei or Honor smartphone will find the interface familiar as it resembles the Harmony OS.
In addition to the default Android apps, Honor has preinstalled several of its own applications on the device. However, some of these apps may overlap with the functions already provided by Google’s apps. Therefore, users may choose to review the apps and delete any unnecessary ones to declutter their device.
The software on the Honor Magic Vs smartphone will receive new versions for three years and security updates for five years, until 2028. At the time of writing, the device’s security patch was up-to-date as of February 2023.
Honor smartphones provide a great multi-window experience that enables users to easily move and resize floating windows. With the split-screen interface feature, users can quickly arrange apps using a floating pill that’s always active in the status bar at the top. The floating pill allows users to move their active app to either the left or right side of the screen, and a menu pops up that displays all the apps on the phone. Users can then choose any app to appear on the other side of the screen, and flip the windows to the top and bottom for some apps. Additionally, users can make one window larger than the other as well. Once users get the hang of the gestures, the system is fluid and easy to use. However, it’s important to note that the feature doesn’t allow users to save certain pairs as favorites, which can be disappointing for some user
Specifications
| Screen | 7.9in, 2272×1984 folding OLED w/ 90Hz, HDR10+ 6.45in, 2560×1080 OLED w/ 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 octa-core |
| Memory | 8GB RAM |
| Cameras | 50MP, f/1.9 main w/ PDAF + 8MP, f/2.4 telephoto w/ OIS, PDAF, 3x optical zoom + 50MP, f/2.0 ultrawide rear 16MP, f/2.5 front / 16MP, f/2.5 inner |
| Storage | 256GB on-board |
| Operating System | Android 12 w/ Magic UI 7 |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 66W wired charging |
| Dimensions | 160x142x6.1mm (unfolded) / 160x73x12.9mm (folded), 261g |
The Honor Magic Vs is a foldable phone that boasts a premium design and a great set of cameras, making it a strong contender in the foldable phone market. With its impressive battery life, it’s a phone worth considering for those who prioritize longevity. Honor Magic Vs phone is evidence that Honor has successfully transitioned from its previous image as a budget/entry-level brand and has emerged as a true premium competitor in the market. It’s no longer in the shadow of former owner Huawei, but rather stands on its own as a serious player in the phone industry. While the Honor Magic Vs lacks some features found in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4, such as wireless charging and a water resistance rating, it’s possible that these omissions will be reflected in the price. Despite these missing features, the Honor Magic Vs is still a strong option for those in the market for a foldable phone.
