The Honor Magic V3 boasts a record-breaking slim design and outstanding displays, but is it enough to beat the big players like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold? Let's find out what reviewers praise and what they criticize about this new device.
The Honor Magic V3 is the thinnest flip phone ever, challenging the status quo at just 4.35mm when open. But is the slim design enough to win the hearts of tech lovers? Let's see what reviewers have to say about this bold contender in the world of foldable devices.
Body Design and Screens – Pancake Thin: Although the Magic V3 is a true technological masterpiece with its thin profile, it is also very practical. The outdoor display measures 6.43 inches and boasts a high brightness of 5000 nits, which is great for outdoor use. But when you open the device, you are greeted by a 7.92-inch main screen, which is also OLED with a dynamic refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz.
Despite the ultra-slim design, the crease in the middle of the screen is still noticeable, although less so than in previous models. Honor Magic V3 maintains uniformity in resolution and smoothness of operation between the two screens, which provides the user with a coherent visual impression.
Cameras – outstanding performance, but not without compromises: The Honor Magic V3 boasts a solid array of cameras. The main camera is 50 MP, along with a wide-angle and telephoto camera, which allows it to capture detailed images even in low light. But, despite the excellent optics, some reviewers point to the large camera bump, which slightly disturbs the otherwise extremely thin design of the phone.
Battery and performance - thin, but with a long breath? For a device this thin, you'd expect battery life to be problematic. But Honor included a 5150 mAh battery in the Magic V3, which is surprisingly powerful. In practice, it does not stand out as a battery champion, but considering the thinness of the case and competing devices, it is solid.
It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which ensures fast performance and support for the most demanding applications. It is also equipped with 12 GB of RAM, which enables smooth multitasking even when using various demanding applications.
Software – Ah, those MagicOS issues: Although the Magic V3's hardware shines, the software leaves a bit of a bitter aftertaste. Based on Android 14, MagicOS 8.0.1 is packed with features like AI tools for the camera and translator, but the user experience is confusing and unintuitive at times. Many reviewers complain about incomplete optimization and certain bugs that affect the smoothness of operation.
What reviewers are saying about the Honor Magic V3:
- Ultra-slim design: The Honor Magic V3 is currently the thinnest flip phone on the market, with a thickness of just 4.35mm, which is highly praised by reviewers. This thinness makes the phone lighter and more convenient to use than many other flip phones.
- High quality screens: Both display surfaces (external and internal) are OLED and have the same pixel density (402 PPI) and support for dynamic refresh from 1 to 120 Hz, which provides a smooth user experience. Reviewers are particularly impressed by the brightness of the screens and the ease of use outdoors.
- Innovative protection and accessories: The phone comes with a stylish vegan leather case with a built-in kickstand, a practical addition that most other phones don't offer. Reviewers really liked this detail.
- Good glass durability: Honor uses its own NanoCrystal 2.0 technology, which is said to be up to 40 times more impact resistant than the glass on other high-end devices. Although reviewers didn't test it in extreme ways, they praised the screens' durability.
What reviewers say about the Honor Magic V3:
- A visible crease on the screen: Although the crease on the internal screen is less noticeable than on some other models, reviewers still notice it, which for some is a minor weakness compared to competing devices.
- Camera bump: Despite the excellent camera that allows for superb photos, the bump is quite large and can somewhat disturb the user experience. Some reviewers felt that this was indicative of an otherwise thin design.
- Software: While MagicOS 8.0.1 is feature-rich, reviewers report problems with optimization and an interface that feels opaque and overly complex at times. Lack of intuitiveness and errors were frequent criticisms.
The Honor Magic V3 is therefore a superbly designed phone that impresses with its thin design and quality screens, but not without some minor weaknesses, especially in terms of software and camera.
Conclusion: The Honor Magic V3 undoubtedly brings stunning innovations with its ultra-slim design and impressive displays, but questions remain about battery life and software optimization. If you're looking for something visually stunning and extremely compact, this is the phone for you. However, if a seamless programming experience is more important to you, you might want to wait for the next update or check out the competition.
