Honor Magic V3 review
Buy this if you want a foldable that doesn't feel like a brick, love a genuinely bright cover screen, and don't mind recharging every evening. Skip it if battery endurance is non-negotiable or you need proven fold durability—wait for a second or third generation of Honor's hinge, or cross-shop Samsung and Motorola for more predictable longevity.
This review is based on Honor’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Honor Magic V3, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Honor Magic V3 is one of the thinnest foldables ever made—at 4.4mm closed it feels like a conventional phone, and the inner display is excellent. But at $1,059, it's fighting for space against rivals that offer better battery endurance, faster charging, and foldable reliability that hasn't been tested over time.
Design & build
The Magic V3's defining trait is thinness. At 4.4mm when folded and 226–230g overall, it feels more like an ordinary phone than most foldables, without the pocket awkwardness of thicker rivals. The glass-front-and-back design with aluminum frame looks refined, though the glass-fiber-reinforced plastic back is a step down from all-glass on pricier models. IPX8 water resistance (up to 2.5m for 30 minutes) is solid, and stylus support adds productivity appeal. The real question is durability: the hinge is new in this form, and without years of field data or independent longevity tests, it's hard to know how it holds up to 50,000+ folds or accidental drops. Samsung's hinges have proven track records; Honor's hasn't.
Display
Both screens deliver. The cover display (6.43 inches, 1060 x 2376, 120Hz LTPO) peaks at 5000 nits and is genuinely readable in bright sunlight—that brightness alone lets you live mostly folded if you wish. The inner foldable (7.92 inches, 2156 x 2344, 120Hz LTPO) is also crisp at 402 ppi and hits 1800 nits peak; King Kong Rhinoceros glass is a real protective upgrade over standard tempered glass. The crease is visible in certain light angles but not aggressive compared to older folds. Colorwork (1 billion colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+) is as you'd expect at this price.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with Adreno 750 is current-gen flagship silicon; AnTuTu scores around 1.59 million put it at the top tier for 2024. Real-world performance is snappy—apps open without lag, multitasking is seamless, and demanding games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty) run at high settings. MagicOS 9 on Android 14 (upgradable to 15) adds features like Circle to Search. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. No meaningful weakness here; if anything, this much power on a folding device draws battery faster under load.
Camera
The rear trio is competent without being exceptional. The 50MP f/1.6 wide with OIS is sharp in daylight and handles low light decently. The periscope telephoto (50MP, 3.5x optical, f/3.0) avoids the distortion of a wider zoom, though at f/3.0 it's darker than the wide and needs more light. The 40MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 112°) is practical for groups and landscape, though not standout. Video (4K 10-bit at 30/60fps) is well-spec'd but Honor hasn't historically matched Google or Apple in processing. Selfies (20MP front and cover camera) are clear. For a $1,059 phone, the camera is solid but not a reason to buy over rivals.
Battery & charging
The 5150mAh battery is the fold's weak point. At that capacity, real screen-on time runs 8 to 10 hours depending on brightness and app load; rivals like the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 stretch to 12+ hours with bigger packs (5000+ and 4400mAh respectively). Wired charging at 66W takes about 45 minutes to full—fine, but brands at this price now offer 100W+, which cuts charge time nearly in half. 50W wireless is slow relative to wired. Reverse charging is 5W, a token gesture. If you're away from a charger for a full day or rely on wireless topping-up, this fold demands restraint.
Software & features
MagicOS 9 runs close to stock Android with Honor's overlays. Updates are promised to Android 15, and the system includes practical additions like Circle to Search. No major bloat; the interface is responsive. Stylus support is a plus for note-taking, though Honor doesn't include a stylus in the box, so that's an extra cost. Connectivity is comprehensive: Wi-Fi 6E/7, 5G (SA/NSA), Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC for high-res audio, NFC, and USB 3.1. The omission of a microSD slot is now standard for flagships; the UFS 4.0 storage is fast enough that it hardly matters for most users.
Value & verdict
At $1,059 (€942 / £665), the Magic V3 is a premium bet on a new hinge design and exceptional thinness. If you prioritize pocketability and a bright cover screen, it delivers. If you live off-the-grid and need 12+ hours of battery or rely on wireless charging, look elsewhere. Samsung's folds cost more but have years of proven durability; Motorola's Razr 50 Ultra is slightly cheaper and offers better battery life. The V3 makes sense for users who value form factor as much as substance—the phone itself is excellent, but the value case rests on whether you trust Honor's hinge to outlast the cost.
Verdict
Buy this if you want a foldable that doesn't feel like a brick, love a genuinely bright cover screen, and don't mind recharging every evening. Skip it if battery endurance is non-negotiable or you need proven fold durability—wait for a second or third generation of Honor's hinge, or cross-shop Samsung and Motorola for more predictable longevity.
- Exceptional thinness when folded (4.4mm) makes it pocketable and balanced in one hand, not an obvious folding contraption
- Cover screen is genuinely bright (5000 nits peak) and smooth (120Hz LTPO), useful enough to skip opening the fold for routine tasks
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and up to 16GB RAM handle demanding apps and gaming without compromise
- 50MP periscope telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom bridges the gap between main and ultra-zoom reasonably well
- 5150mAh battery is light for a foldable and real screen-on time hovers around 8-10 hours depending on use; rivals at this price often exceed 12 hours
- Fold durability is unproven; Honor's hinge design is new and hasn't aged through multiple years of drop tests or long-term field data like Samsung's
- 66W charging is competent but slower than the 100W+ many rivals offer at this price tier
Honor Magic V3 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, July 12 |
|---|---|
| Display | 7.92 inches, 201.6 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio), Foldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, 1800 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 2156 x 2344 pixels (~402 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Selfie camera | 20 MP, f/2.2, 90˚, 21mm (wide), 0.61µm Cover camera: 20 MP, f/2.2, 90˚, 21mm (wide), 0.61µm |
| Battery | 5150 mAh |
| Charging | 66W wired50W wireless5W reverse wired |
| Software | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 156.6 x 145.3 x 4.35 mm or 4.4 mmFolded: 156.6 x 74.0 x 9.2 mm or 9.3 mm |
| Weight | 226 g or 230 g (7.97 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, glass-fiber reinforced plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Durability | IPX8 water resistant (up to 2.5m for 30 min) Stylus support |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2 |
Honor Magic V3 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Magic V3 support 5G?
Yes. The Magic V3 supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Magic V3 use?
The Magic V3 runs on the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm).
What display does the Magic V3 have?
A 7.92 inches, 201.6 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) Foldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, 1800 nits (peak), 2156 x 2344 pixels (~402 ppi density).
How big is the Magic V3 battery?
The Magic V3 has a 5150 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 66W wired50W wireless5W reverse wired.
Does the Magic V3 have NFC?
Yes, the Magic V3 has NFC.
Is the Magic V3 water resistant?
The Magic V3 carries a IPX8 water resistant (up to 2.5m for 30 min) Stylus support rating.
Does the Magic V3 support a microSD card?
No, the Magic V3 does not support expandable storage.
Does the Magic V3 have a headphone jack?
No, the Magic V3 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Magic V3 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design
Magic6 RSR
Magic6
Magic6 Pro
Galaxy Z Fold Special
