In the realm of foldable phones, the Honor Magic V2 emerges as a game-changer. Boasting a sleeker and lighter profile compared to its competitors in the same price range, it seamlessly integrates top-tier features from Honor’s premium candy bar devices, earning accolades that extend beyond its remarkable form factor.
Pros
- Unmatched Foldable Design: The Honor Magic V2 redefines what’s possible with its innovative foldable design, setting a new standard in the industry.
- Vibrant and Eye-Friendly Display: Experience immersive visuals on the Magic V2’s vivid display, optimized for comfortable viewing.
- Impressive Battery Life: Stay powered throughout the day with the Magic V2’s long-lasting battery performance.
Cons
- Lacks IP Rating: Unfortunately, the Magic V2 doesn’t come with an IP rating for water and dust resistance, which might be a concern for some users.
- No Wireless Charging: While the Magic V2 offers cutting-edge features, it lacks the convenience of wireless charging.
- Occasional Software Hiccups: Users may encounter occasional software glitches, indicating room for improvement in terms of overall software polish.
While the Honor Magic V2 sets a new benchmark in foldable phone design, prospective buyers should consider these factors before making a purchase decision.
HONOR MAGIC V2: Quick Overview
Mobile manufacturers worldwide, except for Apple, are heavily investing in the foldable ideal.
Introduction to the Honor Magic V2
The Honor Magic V2, a new foldable flagship, challenges the industry norm.
Release History
The Magic V2 made its official debut in China in July 2023 and was later unveiled at IFA 2023 before its European launch in January 2024.
Availability and Pricing
As of February 2, the Magic V2 is available for purchase from various retailers, including Honor’s official website and Amazon, with a price tag of £1,699.99 (or €1,999).
Pricing Concerns
While £1,699.99 (or €1,999) may seem reasonable for a dual-screen device in 2024, it marks a departure from Honor’s previous competitive pricing strategy.
Comparison with Competitors
Throughout this review, we’ll compare the Magic V2’s features to those of its competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Google Pixel Fold, and OnePlus Open.
Key Features
The Magic V2 boasts a thinner, lighter design, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and a display inspired by the Honor Magic 5 Pro.
Camera and Battery Performance
The Magic V2’s camera setup and dual 5,000mAh battery offer impressive performance, although lacking an IP water-resistance rating and wireless charging.
Software Experience
While MagicOS 7.2 provides a unique experience, it may require some adjustment, especially for users accustomed to other operating systems.
Design and Style
The Magic V2 stands out for its sleek design, both when unfolded and folded, making it a stylish choice in the foldable market.
Conclusion
If design is your priority, the Magic V2 is a standout choice, though it competes closely with other foldables in terms of overall performance.
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Honor Magic V2, priced at £1,699.99 / €1,999, is currently unavailable in the US and Australia.
Release Timeline
The Magic V2 was initially unveiled in China on July 12, 2023, and later showcased globally at IFA 2023 on September 1. It officially launched for European sale on January 26, 2024, and commenced shipping on February 2.
Availability and Pricing
The Magic V2 can be ordered directly from Honor, as well as from retailers like Amazon, Three, Very, Argos, and Currys. It comes with a single storage configuration: 512GB (with 16GB RAM).
Comparison with Predecessor and Competitors
Compared to its predecessor, the Honor Magic VS, the Magic V2 is priced higher, starting at £1,399 for the former. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 starts at $1,799.99 / £1,749 / AU$2,599. Despite being £50 cheaper than its main competitor, the Magic V2 is around £300 more expensive than its predecessor.
Market Availability
As is typical with most Honor devices, the Magic V2 is unlikely to be released in the US or Australia anytime soon.
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: SPECS
Honor Magic V2 specs
- Dimensions (folded): 156.7 x 74.1 x 9.9mm
- Dimensions (unfolded): 156.7 x 145.4 x 4.7mm
- Weight: 231g
- OS: MagicOS 7.2 atop Android 13
- Display (foldable): 7.92-inch OLED (2156 x 2344)
- Display (outer): 6.43-inch OLED (1060 x 2376)
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Rear Cameras: 50MP (f/1.9) main, 50MP (f/2.0) ultra-wide, 20MP (f/2.4) telephoto
- Front Camera: 16MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: DESIGN
Let’s delve into the design of the Honor Magic V2, a remarkable feat in foldable phone engineering.
Dimensions and Weight
- When folded, it measures 156.7 x 74.1 x 9.9mm, and when unfolded, 156.7 x 145.4 x 4.7mm.
- Weighing just 231g, the Magic V2 is incredibly lightweight for a foldable device.
Thinness and Portability
The Magic V2 sets a new standard for thinness in foldable smartphones, surpassing competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Pixel Fold.
- It’s the thinnest foldable available, making it highly practical and portable.
- At its thickest point, it measures only 9.9mm when folded, making it comparable to conventional smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
- The use of “proprietary steel” and a titanium hinge ensures durability and longevity, with the hinge capable of enduring up to 400,000 folds.
Waterproofing Concerns
While the Magic V2 boasts impressive design innovations, it lacks an official IP water-resistance rating.
- Honor suggests it can withstand light water exposure, but it’s not suitable for underwater usage or extreme conditions.
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: DISPLAY
Explore the impressive dual-display setup of the Honor Magic V2, designed to enhance your viewing experience.
Foldable Display
- The primary display is a sizable 7.92-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2156 x 2344 pixels.
- It boasts a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits.
- This foldable display provides an immersive viewing experience, perfect for gaming and movie-watching.
Cover Display
- The secondary display is a convenient 6.43-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 1060 x 2376 pixels.
- It also features a 120Hz refresh rate and utilizes drop-resistant nanocrystal glass for durability.
Display Technology
- Both displays utilize Honor’s proprietary dynamic dimming display technology.
- This technology ensures a comfortable viewing experience with a 3840Hz PWM dimming cycle rate, reducing eye strain.
- With approximately 402 pixels per inch, the Magic V2’s displays offer crisp and clear visuals.
Performance Comparison
- The Magic V2’s displays are comparable to those of leading foldable phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Pixel Fold.
- While the former may have slightly smaller bezels, the Magic V2 provides an equally impressive viewing experience.
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: CAMERAS
Discover the impressive camera capabilities of the Honor Magic V2, designed to capture stunning moments with precision.
Rear Cameras
- The Magic V2 features a trio of rear lenses: a 50MP (f/1.9) main lens, a 50MP (f/2.0) ultra-wide lens, and a 20MP (f/2.4) telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom.
- Both the main and telephoto cameras are equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) for steady shots.
- Capture high-quality videos up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.
Comparison with Competitors
- While the Magic V2’s camera setup may not match the versatility of competitors like the OnePlus Open or Google Pixel Fold, it offers impressive image quality.
- The OnePlus Open, for instance, boasts a 48MP main lens, 48MP ultra-wide lens, and 64MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
Image Quality
- The Magic V2 delivers consistently detailed and well-lit photos with its rear cameras, particularly with the 48MP main lens.
- Night photography is decent, though competitors may excel due to larger sensors and advanced AI features.
Color Reproduction
- Colors captured by the Magic V2 are exceptionally vivid, although at times, they may appear overly saturated, leading to a slightly artificial look.
Telephoto Zoom Performance
- The telephoto zoom lens performs admirably at 2.5x magnification, maintaining detail in various lighting conditions.
- However, at 10x magnification, some blurring may occur, softening the image.
Front Cameras
- The 16MP front cameras are suitable for video calls but may not produce groundbreaking selfies.
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: PERFORMANCE AND SOFTWARE
Performance Specs
- Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, offering impressive speed and performance.
- Available in a single configuration with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, suitable for high-end usage.
- Supports 5G connectivity, features stereo speakers, and includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Software Experience
- Runs MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13, providing a user-friendly interface with pre-installed Google apps.
- Optimized for dual-screen multitasking, allowing split and floating windows for enhanced productivity.
- Features like Parallel Space enable simultaneous usage of apps from different virtual spaces, showcasing the device’s multitasking capabilities.
Customization and User Experience
- Limited customization options for lock screen and always-on display (AOD), with some apps requiring forced full-screen mode.
- Initial setup involves navigating through various user agreements, which may be overwhelming for some users.
- While MagicOS lacks the polish of Samsung’s One UI 6 or Google’s Android, it offers a stable and functional user experience.
Update Commitment
- Honor pledges five years of security updates and four years of Android updates, ensuring long-term support and performance optimization.
- Note that the transition to Android 14 will consume one of the promised four Android updates.
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: BATTERY LIFE
Impressive Battery Capacity
- The Honor Magic V2 boasts a substantial 5,000mAh battery, ensuring all-day battery life for users.
- Unlike its predecessor, the Magic V2 does not include a 66W SuperCharge charger in the box.
Charging Speed and Efficiency
- With Honor’s 66W SuperCharge technology, the Magic V2 can be fully recharged in under an hour.
- Although the charger is not included, it’s recommended for fast charging capabilities.
- Using the 66W SuperCharge charger, the Magic V2 reached 48% and 80% charge in just 15 and 30 minutes, respectively, from a dead state.
- A full charge of the Magic V2 only takes 48 minutes, making it incredibly efficient for a device with such a large battery.
Battery Performance
- Despite its larger battery size compared to competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Pixel Fold, the Magic V2 maintains a lightweight design.
- Users can expect all-day battery life with the Magic V2, lasting from approximately 8 am to 11 pm with some charge remaining at bedtime.
- Additionally, the Magic V2 provides around 40 minutes of charge even when the battery is nearly depleted, offering extra convenience.
- While lacking wireless charging, the Magic V2’s manual charging speeds outshine its competitors, providing a more practical charging solution.
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE BUYING
Reasons to Buy
- Thinnest Foldable Phone: The Honor Magic V2 boasts the title of the thinnest foldable phone currently available.
- Dual Eye-Friendly Displays: Experience the convenience of two impressive foldable screens with Honor’s proprietary display technology.
- Long-Lasting Battery: With a 5,000mAh battery, the Magic V2 offers lasting battery life, perfect for productivity.
Reasons to Avoid
- Better Camera Options: While the Magic V2’s cameras are decent, alternatives like the Google Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open offer superior camera setups.
- New Software Interface: If you’re not familiar with Honor’s MagicOS operating system, you may find it challenging to adapt to the Magic V2’s software.
HONOR MAGIC V2 REVIEW: ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER
Honor Magic V2 vs. Competitors
| Model | Price | Display Size (Internal / External) | Cameras | Processor | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honor Magic V2 | £1,699 | 7.92-inch / 6.43-inch | 50MP (wide); 20MP (2.5x telephoto); 50MP (ultrawide) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 5,000mAh |
| OnePlus Open | £1,599 / $1,699 | 7.82-inch / 6.3-inch | 48MP (wide); 64MP (3x telephoto); 48MP (ultrawide) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 4,805mAh |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 | £1,749 / $1,799.99 / AU$2,599 | 7.6-inch / 6.2-inch | 50MP (wide); 10MP (3x telephoto); 12MP (ultrawide) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ‘for Galaxy’ (*primary core 5% faster) | 4,400mAh |
| Google Pixel Fold | £1,749 | 7.6-inch / 5.8-inch | 48MP (wide); 10.8MP (5x telephoto); 10.8MP (ultrawide) | Google Tensor G2 | 4,821mAh |
Choose wisely based on your preferences and requirements!
