In a year filled with impressive foldable phones, the Honor Magic V3 stands out as a truly special device. While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, OnePlus Open, and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold have all impressed me, the Honor Magic V3 feels like something revolutionary. It’s the first folding phone I’ve used that doesn’t feel like a folding phone at all.
The magic lies in its incredibly thin and lightweight design. At a mere 9.2mm thick when folded, the Magic V3 is significantly slimmer than any other major foldable on the market. This makes it feel like a regular smartphone, a feat that was previously unheard of in the foldable world. The slim profile is coupled with a surprisingly light weight of 226 grams, making it even more comfortable to use for extended periods.
Beyond its size and weight, the Magic V3 boasts a solid build quality. Despite its thinness, the hinge feels sturdy and reliable. The matte aluminum frame provides a premium feel, and the buttons offer satisfying clicks. With an IPX8 water resistance rating, the phone is well-protected against accidental splashes.
But the Magic V3’s appeal goes beyond its impressive hardware. Both its 6.43-inch cover screen and 7.92-inch inner display are stunning OLED panels with vibrant colors, sharp resolutions, and up to 120Hz refresh rates. These displays are a joy to use, whether you’re scrolling through social media, watching videos, or working on documents.
Powering this exceptional phone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Performance is blazing fast, with seamless multitasking and smooth gameplay. Despite its thin and lightweight design, the phone remains remarkably cool even under heavy workloads.
While the camera setup isn’t the most technically impressive on the market, it still captures beautiful photos with a unique character. The images aren’t always perfect, but when they are, they look truly stunning. While not as reliable as the Google Pixel 9 Pro, the Magic V3’s camera is still a pleasure to use.
However, the Magic V3’s software experience leaves room for improvement. Honor’s MagicOS interface is plagued by quirks and inconsistencies. The app drawer is not enabled by default, and the haptics feel inconsistent. Additionally, the phone suffers from software bugs, such as a reset issue that I encountered during my review. These issues, combined with the lack of a traditional app drawer and the inconsistent notification system, highlight the need for Honor to improve its software experience.
Despite its software shortcomings, the Honor Magic V3 is a groundbreaking device. It sets a new standard for foldable phone design, offering a truly innovative and comfortable user experience. The slim form factor, premium build, and impressive display quality make it a truly compelling choice for those looking for a cutting-edge folding phone. Unfortunately, the phone’s limited availability in the U.S. is a major drawback, but hopefully, Honor will expand its reach in the future. The Honor Magic V3 is a glimpse into the future of foldable phones, a future where these devices can finally feel like regular smartphones.
