Honor Magic V2 Review : A Foldable Phone That Raises the Bar

The foldable phone market is steadily growing as manufacturers continue to refine the category. Honor is one such manufacturer, introducing its third folding device so far - the Magic V2.

Design

The Magic V2 immediately stands out with its ultra-thin dimensions. At just 9.9mm when folded, it's the slimmest foldable phone so far in the entire market and it feels extremely compact in the hand.

Honor has clearly focused on refining the hinge mechanism, which allows the phone to open up to a large 7.9-inch interior display without adding bulk. It's also lightweight at 231g despite housing a large battery. Overall, the Magic V2's design is a major step forward for the category in terms of portability.

Display

Both the inner and outer screens sport vibrant AMOLED panels with high 120Hz refresh rates. Colours look punchy and images are sharp at 2K+ resolutions.

I appreciate the smooth scrolling and swiping when using the various interfaces. The dynamic dimming also helps reduce eye strain in different lighting conditions. Unfolded, the display provides an immersive canvas for media and multitasking.

Performance

Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers snappy responsiveness across all tasks during my testing. Apps load instantly, and graphics-heavy games are buttery smooth.

The 16GB RAM also means multiple apps can stay open simultaneously without reloads. Overall, performance is on par with other top Android flagships.

Edit * The Honor Magic V2 is 512GB

Cameras

The triple rear camera system is headed by a 50MP main sensor that captures images with good detail, even in low-light conditions. It's paired with a 50MP ultra-wide lens for fitting more into each shot, and a 20MP telephoto lens that provides 2.5x optical zoom.

In terms of video, the Magic V2 is capable of recording up to 4K at 60fps for ultra-smooth footage. Electronic image stabilisation does a decent job minimising shakes. There's also a "Movie" mode that optimises settings for a more cinematic look. Vloggers will appreciate advanced options like focus peaking, audio level controls and the ability to use the telephoto lens while recording. Log mode also gives content creators more flexibility when color grading videos in post.

All in all, the camera system performs well above expectations for a foldable phone. Image quality seems on par with regular flagship cameras.

Battery

With a large 5,000mAh dual cell inside its slim body, the Magic V2 lasted me a full day of regular usage in my testing.

The included 66W fast charging is also convenient for topping up swiftly. This ensures the phone keeps up in the battery department.

Features

Apps such as the FC24 Companion can dynamically adjust their interface to fit the unfolded screen, resembling the way apps adapt to tablet devices.

This feature is truly distinctive. We have also tested other apps like Youtube and Asphalt 9 that possess this capability, resulting in a visually appealing experience.

Pricing and Availability

It is on the cheaper end for a foldable phone, starting at S$1,999, but the Magic V2’s super slim build and powerful internals make it a strong all-round package. I can confidently say Honor has raised the bar with this impressive flexible flagship.