Honor Magic V2 is a slim, streamlined, and powerpacked foldable device; and it might just be the best foldable in the market right now.
The Honor Magic V2 is the latest foldable smartphone offering from Honor that aims to redefine sophistication with its impressively slim and lightweight design. When folded, it closely resembles a traditional smartphone, but unfolds to provide next-generation versatility.
Build Quality
The Magic V2 is seriously light and compact, making it super portable and easy to carry around. Weighing in at just 231g, it won’t weigh you down when you’re on the go. And at only 9.9mm thin when folded, it’s slim enough to slip into your pocket or bag without any hassle.
Don’t let its small size fool you – this phone packs a punch. The inward folding design not only looks sleek and stylish, but also makes it stand out from other foldable devices. The curved shape fits comfortably in your hand, so it’s easy to hold and use. Plus, it’s even slimmer than some of the top flagship bar phones on the market.
Hinge Design & Slim Form Factor
A key contributor to its slim and lightweight design is the Magic V2’s titanium alloy hinge inspired by aerospace technology. At 42% lighter than steel, titanium alloy cuts down on weight substantially while still ensuring exceptional durability. The proprietary Honor Shield Steel used for added robustness also helps achieve an optimal balance of thickness and toughness.
When it comes to the Magic V2, one of its standout features is the titanium alloy hinge inspired by aerospace technology. This innovative hinge is not only slim and lightweight, but also incredibly strong. In fact, titanium alloy is 42% lighter than steel, making it a key contributor to the overall design of the Magic V2.
But don’t let its light weight fool you – this hinge is built to last. The proprietary Honor Shield Steel adds an extra layer of robustness to ensure that your device can withstand everyday wear and tear – up to 400,000 total folds, according to Honor. This combination of materials not only helps reduce the weight of the phone, but also provides the durability you need for long-term use.
By using a titanium alloy hinge and Honor Shield Steel, the Magic V2 achieves an optimal balance of thickness and toughness. This means you can enjoy a slim and lightweight design without compromising on durability.
However, its build also shares quite a number of drawbacks. It takes some effort to unfold the device because there is almost no gap or tab that would make it easy to open each side of the phone. There was even a time when my thumb accidentally slipped while unfolding the phone, causing me to accidentally nick a small portion of the outer screen protector.
Hardware & Processing Power
The Honor Magic V2 is a powerhouse of a device, thanks to its integration of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform. This cutting-edge technology allows the phone to breeze through tasks and games, even when running multiple applications at once in split-screen mode.
However, do not expect this device to rock the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. Currently, based on research, only the (still unavailable) VIVO X Fold 3 Pro is the only foldable that comes with the said chipset. Regardless, the one installed on the Magic V2 is no-slouch. I am able to play premium Android games and – as I have mentioned – use multiple apps simultaneously.
With up to 16GB of RAM and a whopping 512GB of storage capacity, the Honor Magic V2 ensures that you have all the space you need for your favorite apps, media files, and important documents.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a content creator who needs to have multiple apps open at once, or simply someone who demands top-tier performance from their smartphone, the Honor Magic V2 is the perfect choice for you.
Performance Benchmarks
Camera Capabilities
Imaging is handled by a versatile array of triple 50MP cameras (wide, ultrawide and telephoto) plus a 20MP telecamera with up to 40x digital zoom. This setup allows the Magic V2 to capture vibrant, detailed shots even in low light conditions. The fast f/1.9 aperture takes in more light for improved image quality. AI Motion Capture and Hover Photography modes also expand shooting creativity.
The camera performance of the Magic V2 is, in fact, its one of its best features. It is a few steps below the camera specs of Honor Magic5 Pro, but it excels in many ways: contrast, saturation, clarity, portrait, and even in video.
Speaking of video, I am utterly impressed with its capability to shoot at MagicLOG, which brings more depth to the quality of your videos. The only requirement when shooting LOG is to edit it at post and exercise your creativity. Thankfully, for those who still want to be creative in their videos, you can still “pre-bake” LUTs on your videos with the include 3DLuts available in its native camera application.
Software Features
The Magic V2 runs MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13, with additions like Parallel Space for separating work and personal data spaces. Magic Text instantly converts pictured words into actions or editable text.
One of the standout features of the Magic V2 is Parallel Space, which allows you to separate your work and personal data spaces with ease. This means you can keep your personal information secure and separate from your work-related content, making it easier to stay organized and focused throughout the day.
Another addition to the Magic V2 is Magic Text, a feature that instantly converts pictured words into actions or editable text. This means you can easily capture important information from various sources and turn it into actionable items or editable text in just a few taps.
Furthermore, the Magic V2 boasts impressive multitasking capabilities, with features like Multi-Window that have been enhanced to allow simultaneous media streaming, social media browsing, and document editing in floating windows without any slowdowns. This means you can stay productive and entertained without having to switch between different apps constantly. Unlike Galaxy Z Fold 5, however, you can only use a maximum of 3 applications simultaneously due to the limitation of the software: one app on the left side, another one on the right, and another floating app.
Battery Life & Charging
The Honor Magic V2 has 5000mAh silicon-carbon battery. 50% charge can be achieved in just 15 minutes. 15W wireless charging is also supported.
Clearly, however, based on my experience and benchmarks, Honor Magic V2 battery performance is not is strongest suit. At my current usage pace – medium to heavy usage, the battery lasts for a little over 10 hours. My PC Benchmark test, however, clocked for about 8 hours and 25 minutes with 20% more juice remaining.
Audio, Connectivity & Biometrics
The Magic V2 has stereo speakers that are enhanced by DTS:X Ultra 3D sound technology. This helps in providing audio immersion when watching movies and playing games.
The device also comes equipped with WiFi 6E and 5G connectivity, which allows for super fast data speeds. It also supports eSIM, which is a great addition. So whether you’re streaming videos, downloading files, or just browsing the web, you can count on a smooth and uninterrupted experience.
In terms of security, this phone is also well-packed! With the side-mounted fingerprint reader, you can be sure that your device is secure and only accessible to you through biometric authentication. It is ultra fast to respond as well, which is a plus factor! Also the Bluetooth 5.2 feature allows for easy multi-device pairing, so you can connect all your favorite gadgets without any hassle.
Conclusion
With its intersection of leading efficiency, visual excellence, imaging capabilities and human-centric design, the Honor Magic V2 represents a foldable smartphone done right. Its competitive pricing also makes it a great value proposition over pricier rivals. For power users seeking top-tier versatility and flexibility, the Magic V2 delivers an undeniably magical and hype-worthy experience.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
