The wait is over: The HONOR Magic V3 has finally landed in the Philippines, and it’s making a grand entrance.

This isn’t just some minor refresh. HONOR is swinging for the fences, aiming to redefine what a foldable phone can be. The company has addressed some of the biggest gripes with foldables head-on, promising a device that’s as sleek as it is capable and practical.

But can it deliver? We spent quite some time with the Magic V3, putting it through the wringer to see if it lives up to the hype. From its svelte design to its cutting-edge features, we explored every nook and cranny of this intriguing foldable. Let’s dive in and see if HONOR has truly cracked the foldable code.

Slimmest foldable ever

The Magic V2 was the thinnest foldable phone when it launched and subsequently released in the Philippines earlier this year, and HONOR continues its impressive streak of releasing the world’s slimmest foldable with the Magic V3. Clocking in at a mind-boggling 4.4mm in tablet form and a mere 9.3mm when folded, this device is outrageously thin.

Foldables have always been a bit, well, extra. Bulky, awkward, the kind of handset you don’t want to have in your pocket especially when you’re wearing jeans. But the HONOR Magic V3? This ain’t that. Seriously, you won’t find another foldable on the local market that slips into your pocket as effortlessly as a standard bar phone. The Magic V3 is in a league of its own.

When closed, it sheds its foldable identity, transforming into a sleek, pocketable device. Sure, it’s a tad taller than your typical flagship courtesy of the cover display’s 20:9 aspect ratio, but that extra screen real estate is hardly a burden. In fact, it feels surprisingly comfortable in hand, almost like a standard smartphone that’s been subtly stretched. We have no complaints using it as our daily driver.

Those highly chamfered edges are great, too. When unfolded, they provide a smooth, comfortable grip, free from any harsh corners. They also create a subtle separation between the two halves of the screen, making it incredibly easy to unfold. There’s no awkward fumbling or forceful prying — just a gentle nudge, and the Magic V3 gracefully unfolds. It’s a small touch, but it definitely elevates the entire user experience.

And it’s not just about thinness with the Magic V3 either. HONOR somehow managed to shave off even more weight, bringing it down to a very manageable 226 grams. For reference, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is listed at 227 grams, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 weighs 239 grams. This is especially impressive considering it crammed in a higher-capacity battery and wireless charging up to 50 watts with proprietary accessories.

How did HONOR do it? The weight and size reductions come courtesy of improved materials, we’re told. Sadly, we lack the tools — and the courage — to crack open our review unit and peek inside. The inner and outer panels are built to last, too, and we’ve seen some videos torture-testing the displays to see if they break.

And then there’s that IPX8 rating. This isn’t your average “survived a splash of water” certification. We’re talking full-on submersion — to depths that would make other foldables tremble even. Meanwhile, the hinge is rated for over 500,000 folds and unfolds. It’s also the thinnest hinge in the industry at 2.84mm.

The company has clearly engineered the HONOR Magic V3 to withstand the elements, making it one of the most durable foldables on the market, and it truly feels like it’s built for the long haul. This isn’t some fragile device; it’s a reassuringly solid piece of tech that inspires confidence it can handle the rigors of everyday life, from accidental drops to unexpected downpours.

Honor Magic V3 Tested In Washing Machine!#Honor #HONORMagicV3 #Android15 pic.twitter.com/XvCLDYsHlW

— choqao (@choqao) August 24, 2024

HONOR Magic V3 vs the washing machine. Please don’t do this at home

HONOR went with a classic side-mounted fingerprint reader, embedded in the power button. In our experience, it’s a snappy and reliable solution, unlocking the Magic V3 in a flash. Unfortunately, there are no under-display fingerprint sensors here for added convenience. Still, the capacitive solution gets the job done without any fuss.

Clearly, some thought went into the accessories as well. The included snap-on back cover is a welcome inclusion, providing a layer of protection without adding unnecessary bulk. But it’s not just a simple case; the swing-out octagonal camera ring cleverly doubles as a stand, perfect for propping up your handset for hands-free viewing in both landscape and portrait modes. There’s even a frame-like piece that attaches to the front panel with adhesive strips to make sure it stays in place. This adds a bit of extra grip and helps safeguard the edges of the cover screen.

Netflix and fold

The HONOR Magic V3 boasts a bright 6.43-inch outer panel that’s excellent for everyday tasks. Unfold it, and you’re greeted by a sprawling 7.92-inch inner screen that begs to be used for gaming, movie watching, and multitasking.

Both displays are top-tier LTPO AMOLED panels, delivering stunning visuals with inky blacks, vibrant colors, and buttery-smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rates. While the inner screen is a touch dimmer than its outer counterpart — promising 1,600 nits of peak brightness compared to the cover display’s 2,100 nits in adaptive brightness mode — it still holds its own even under direct sunlight.

And the crease? It’s practically invisible, as subtle as they come. You might catch a glimpse of it in certain lighting conditions, or when looking straight at the screen, but it’s nothing that detracts from the overall viewing experience.

The HONOR Magic V3 supports all major HDR standards, including HDR10 Plus and Dolby Vision, so you can experience your favorite movies and shows in all their colorful glory. The brand has also thrown in some optional software magic to further enhance your viewing experience. Its Super Dynamic Vivid Display and Vivid Display algorithms intelligently boost clarity, colors, and shadows during full-screen playback in supported apps like YouTube and Netflix.

The Magic V3 likewise boasts Widevine L1 certification, meaning you can stream high-resolution, DRM-protected content from services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video without breaking a sweat. Netflix, in particular, supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision at up to FHD resolution on the Magic V3. And if YouTube is your jam, you’re in for a treat. This unit supports 2160p HDR playback at a smooth 60 FPS on both the inner and outer displays.

Obviously, the HONOR Magic V3 isn’t just about impressive specs on paper; it’s all about unlocking new possibilities. That expansive, nearly 8-inch inner display transforms the way you interact with your handset, bringing a tablet-like experience to the palm of your hand. Imagine watching videos on a screen large enough that you can share with someone else, or diving into mobile games that were previously relegated to larger screens.

We put the V3 to the test with Baldur’s Gate 2, a turn-based RPG that practically demands a spacious display. After a minor tweak to the app-scaling settings (a handy tip for any game that acts up, actually), it ran like a dream. Even notoriously screen-hungry titles like Civilization VI felt right at home on the Magic V3’s expansive inner panel. Though, admittedly, our civilization met an untimely end at the hands of some aggressive neighbors. No fault of the phone, of course.

Similarly, we put its cloud-gaming capabilities to the test with Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the results were nothing short of impressive. The vibrant and expansive AMOLED screen, coupled with the HONOR Magic V3’s snappy performance, made for an enjoyable experience. Games like Wartales, an open-world tactical RPG that demands a clear view of the battlefield, felt perfectly fine on the handset’s folding panel. No more squinting at tiny characters or struggling with cramped controls — the Magic V3 provided a console-like experience wherever we went.

In fact, HONOR’s latest foldable has officially become our go-to device for cloud gaming, surpassing even our tablets. It’s the perfect blend of portability and performance, offering a premium gaming experience without the bulk. And here’s the kicker: the HONOR Magic V3 is so sleek, you can even pair it with a mobile controller like the GameSir G8 — without taking off your case. This might seem like a small detail, but trust us, it’s a game-changer. We’ve wrestled with other foldables that were simply too bulky to comfortably accommodate a controller, even without a case. Yet the unit’s slim profile makes it a perfect match for mobile-gaming accessories, further solidifying its position as a potential gaming powerhouse.

Naturally, this device is also a productivity workhorse. That spacious inner display is about as good as it gets for multitasking on a handset, offering ample room for split-screen apps and floating windows. So far, everything seems to work seamlessly, without any fiddling in the settings.

HONOR’s Global Taskbar is a particularly handy feature, allowing you to effortlessly juggle multiple apps. Drag an app to the middle of the screen to launch it as a floating window, or to the side for a split-screen view. It’s reminiscent of the Taskbar on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold devices, but with larger, more touch-friendly icons.

But while the Global Taskbar is indeed a welcome addition, we do have a couple of suggestions for HONOR. Giving users control over icon size would be a nice touch, and the option to keep the taskbar persistently displayed would eliminate the need for that extra swipe-up gesture from the bottom. Still, even in its current form, it’s a powerful tool that elevates the Magic V3’s productivity chops.

The best cameras on a foldable, period

HONOR has clearly stepped up its camera game with the Magic V3. That prominent octagonal camera bump at the back isn’t just for show; it houses some serious imaging firepower.

The telephoto camera is the star of the show, boasting a proper 50-megapixel sensor and a periscope lens with 3.5x optical zoom. That’s a significant upgrade from the Magic V2’s 20-megapixel, 2.5x zoom telephoto shooter, delivering sharper, more detailed images from afar. And with a minimum focusing distance of just 27cm, you can capture stunning closeups with ease.

The ultrawide camera has undergone some changes, too, switching to a 40-megapixel sensor and a slightly narrower wide lens. While it might not capture quite as much scenery as the V2’s ultrawide, it still offers a broader perspective than your primary option.

Interestingly, despite the presence of a capable periscope shooter, the HONOR Magic V3 uses its ultrawide camera for closeup shots, automatically switching from the main camera to the ultrawide in macro mode. There’s even a dedicated Super Macro mode tucked away in the native camera app’s More tab.

However, based on our experience, we recommend sticking with the telephoto camera for closeups. Its superior sharpness and detail simply outshine the ultrawide’s macro capabilities. The zoom lens delivers those stunning closeup shots with a level of detail and clarity that the ultrawide just can’t match.

As for the main camera, it now features a 50-megapixel Sony IMX906 1/1.56-inch sensor, a respectable size for a slim foldable phone. The lens is brighter than before, with an f/1.6 aperture that should excel in low-light conditions. And with both auto-focus and optical image stabilization, you can expect sharp, blur-free images even in challenging situations.

While the selfie shooters have gotten a resolution bump to 20 megapixels (from 16 megapixels on the Magic V2), let’s be frank — the real selfie action on a foldable happens with the rear cameras. That tall outer display acts as the ultimate viewfinder, letting you capture stunning self-portraits with the superior quality of the rear camera system.

Speaking of portraits, the company’s partnership with the renowned Harcourt Paris photo studio introduced with the HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200 continues with the Magic V3. Actually, every portrait you capture gets a touch of Harcourt magic, though you’re not limited to the studio’s signature monochrome or moody color profiles. HONOR also includes a more versatile Harcourt Vibrant profile for those who prefer a bit more pop in their photos.

The HONOR Magic V3’s camera upgrades across the board deliver impressive results. The main camera captures crisp details and accurate colors with excellent dynamic range. Even tricky scenes and lighting scenarios are mostly handled well. Notably, the telephoto lens is a significant improvement, offering sharper zoomed-in shots with minimal noise. While occasional softness occurred, the 50MP mode consistently produced sharper images. Meanwhile, the ultrawide camera maintains good detail and color accuracy, despite a slightly more restricting field of view.

Overall, the Magic V3’s camera setup is a significant step up from its predecessor, offering a versatile array of lenses, to go along with impressive image quality. You’re looking at the best system on a foldable phone, period. It’s a testament to HONOR’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of foldable phone technology, delivering a device that excels in most — if not all — areas.

Sample shots

Flagship firepower

With the powerhouse Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a generous 12GB of RAM at its core, the HONOR Magic V3 delivers a flagship-level performance worthy of its price tag. Even the most demanding tasks are handled with grace. In everyday use, apps launch instantly, scrolling is buttery-smooth, and multitasking feels effortless. And with 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, you’ll have plenty of space for all your apps, games, and media.

We put our unit through its paces with Genshin Impact, a notorious resource hog, on the large inner display. Even with all the graphical settings cranked to the max, the unit maintained a steady 50 FPS average across multiple 30-minute sessions. And impressively, it stayed cool under pressure, never reaching alarming temperatures despite extended gameplay. We also took the popular COD: Warzone Mobile for a spin, and it performed admirably. Even with the graphics maxed out, our review sample maintained a respectable 42 FPS average during a 10-minute 6-versus-6 arcade match.

The HONOR Magic V3 is right up there among the fastest devices we’ve used this year, going toe to toe with the latest flagships and even outperforming a few. That Antutu benchmark score of over 1.7 million (in the more power-hungry Performance mode) speaks for itself — this phone is a performance beast.

Of course, the Magic V3, which runs Android 14-based Magic OS 8.0.1 out of the box, also inherits the impressive AI capabilities we’ve seen on HONOR’s other top-end devices, with the addition of a few designed for folding phones. Magic Text allows you to effortlessly extract text from images, while Magic Portal lets you seamlessly drag and drop content between apps.

HONOR has also partnered with Google Cloud to bring you three handy features. With HONOR AI Eraser, you can say goodbye to unwanted photobombers and remove distractions from your photos with ease, similar to Google’s Magic Eraser. Need to have a conversation with someone who speaks a different language? Face-to-face Translation uses both screens to facilitate conversations in two languages. The inner screen displays the translated text, while the outer screen shows the original language, making cross-lingual communication a breeze. And if you need to transcribe a conversation in real-time, HONOR Notes is like having a personal stenographer in your pocket.

Speak freely, anywhere you are, with real-time face-to-face translation.

Unfolding on November 20 here: https://t.co/5Zt2PmbzXs #HONORMagicV3#BestAIFoldablePhone#HONORPH pic.twitter.com/6PAb8PXP6m

— HONOR Philippines (@HONORPHL) November 18, 2024

The Magic V3 inherits the impressive AI capabilities we’ve seen on HONOR’s other top-end devices, with the addition of a few designed for foldable phones

The HONOR Magic V3 keeps the Magic Capsule notification system from its predecessor. This pill-shaped display isn’t just a place for the selfie camera to hide, though; it’s a dynamic notification hub that subtly displays information like timers, music playback, and incoming calls. Think of it as a mini-dashboard that lives around the camera cutout. It’s a clever way to keep you informed without those pesky notifications taking over your entire screen. With a simple tap, the capsule expands to reveal even more details and media controls. It’s actually a pretty clever way to manage notifications and control your media without interrupting your flow.

The HONOR Magic V3 is powered by a hefty 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery pack. This should comfortably power you through a full work day, so you can go about your day without scrambling for a charger. In PCMark’s battery-rundown test, our review unit lasted 12 hours and 17 minutes, easily surpassing the HONOR 200 Pro. And that’s with the brightness set to 50% and the refresh rate cranked up to 120Hz.

But decent battery life is only half the story. HONOR also includes a 66-watt charger that juices up the Magic V3 in a mere 48 minutes, living up to the claims made in their press materials. This combination of reliable battery life and rapid charging ensures that you can spend more time using your smartphone and less time tethered to a wall outlet.

Final thoughts

The HONOR Magic V3 is a foldable phone that truly pushes the boundaries. It’s incredibly thin, unexpectedly light, impressively durable, and packed with top-tier features. The stunning displays, powerful performance, and capable camera system make it a joy to use, whether you’re gaming, working, or capturing memories. The overall package is close to perfection.

If you’re a die-hard foldable enthusiast or even a curious newcomer, the HONOR Magic V3 is a compelling option that deserves serious consideration. It’s a testament to how far foldables have come, and a glimpse into a future where the line between phone and tablet continues to blur.

In the Philippines, the HONOR Magic V3 lands with a suggested retail price of P89,999 (around $1,527) for the lone configuration with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of built-in storage. Preorders are already live, and early birds will receive a free HONOR Pad X9 worth P9,999 ($170). You can also get the Magic V3 via a Globe Telecom postpaid plan.

Get your hands on the Slimmer and Stronger, HONOR Magic V3! Now available at Globe Telecom GPlan 2499 with free HONOR Pad X9 (worth ₱9,999) in every purchase!

Get it at ₱31,600 cash out with the following inclusions:
✅ 25GB Data
✅ Unli All-Net Calls
✅ Unli All-Net Text
✅… pic.twitter.com/hwZPtxq4IV

— HONOR Philippines (@HONORPHL) November 21, 2024

Availability

HONOR Magic V3 specs

• 7.92-inch foldable LTPO OLED, 2,344 x 2,156 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,800 nits peak brightness
• 6.43-inch external OLED, 2,376 x 1,060 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 5,000 nits peak brightness
• 4nm octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 5G chipset
• Adreno 750 GPU
• 12GB RAM
• 512GB storage
• Triple 50-megapixel main, 50-megapixel periscope telephoto, 40-megapixel ultrawide rear cameras
• 20-megapixel front camera
• Under-display fingerprint reader
• 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery with 66-watt fast charging
• MagicOS 8 based on Android 14
• Colors: Black and green

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