Product Review: New HONOR Magic V5 - Smart, slim, and built to last
There's a certain desirability about foldable mobile phones – an X-factor that makes them at once workhorses for tech savvy professionals and coveted fashion accessories for the style conscious. And HONOR understands this well.
Despite being at the cutting edge of consumer electronics technology, foldable phones have suffered from one major problem – bulk. It's all very well to whip out this stylish device and then appear uber cool while unfolding it to reveal its large screen, but that same device, when folded away, used to be a fashion faux pas as its silhouettes jutted out in a brick-like manner from pockets, or made it difficult to carry in sleek and slim handbags, purses and clutches.
In the recent past, HONOR changed all that with its Magic V3, which took the crown of the world's slimmest foldable phone, and quickly became a favourite of the geeks and fashionistas alike. And now, the brand has gone one step above. HONOR's latest foldable - the Magic V5 - slims down the dimensions further to retain the crown of the slimmest foldable, while also impressing with the ways it blends thoughtful AI-driven usability and next-level durability with remarkable slimness to make one sophisticated package. Building on its predecessor, the Magic V5 achieves new heights of desirability without sacrificing form or function.
Slim build without compromise
The first thing you'll notice is just how thin this foldable is. Measuring only 8.8mm when folded, the Magic V5 takes the title of the thinnest foldable phone on the global market. And HONOR manages this elegance without ditching performance or battery life.
Inside that slim frame lies a massive 5,820 mAh HONOR Silicon Carbon Battery, delivering some of the best endurance we've seen in a foldable. In our testing - light browsing, messaging, and calls - it consistently lasted around two days. And when you do need to juice up, the 66W wired and 50W wireless HONOR SuperCharge are extremely capable: we moved from zero to full in roughly 50 minutes with the wired adapter that ships with the package.
Despite its svelte dimensions, the Magic V5 relies on hazard-resistant hinge and optimised internals - namely, a titanium vapor chamber and aerogel-based insulation, promoting efficient heat dissipation while remaining lightweight.
In performance, it shines: powered by a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB UFS 4.1 storage, it handled gaming, multitasking and video editing with ease. And though the power under the hood is formidable, HONOR's upgraded cooling kept temperatures in check even under load.
Clever AI assistant and smart features
HONOR isn't just flexing hardware capabilities here. The Magic V5 brings several intelligent assistants and tools that genuinely enhance the user experience.
AI Assistant by Gemini is barely visible yet wide-reaching - ready to assist with text suggestions, translations, or chat clean-ups via AI Writing, AI Translate, Call Translation, and even Deepfake Detection (inherited from the Magic7 Pro), which can perform tasks such as alert you when a caller is using AI-generated visuals on a video call. It's seamless, intelligent, and acutely aware of modern user needs.
Among its AI features, the Magic Sidebar floats on-screen for quick access to apps and tools, providing a subtle yet handy addition that reduces taps and keystrokes.
The HONOR Connect feature unifies devices across platforms, making the experience fluent and intuitive whether you're syncing with Android or iOS gear. Meanwhile, the TapTap feature adds more convenience, letting you accomplish tasks with a simple double-tap without needing to look at your screen.
These elements contribute to an experience that feels thoughtfully designed, not overloaded. Combined, they make you feel like the phone is not just responsive, but perceptive - ready to edge in when you need help.
Built to last
Foldables often compromise sturdiness for style, but the Magic V5 disrupts that narrative. HONOR has taken durability very seriously, building the device with ratings of IP58 and IP59 for dust and water resistance, offering comprehensive protection from intrusion that previous models (like the Magic V3, capped at IPX8) couldn't match.
For many users, opening and closing the main screens of foldables has always seemed a delicate task, fraught with the danger of spoiling the hinge or the inside screen. But not in this new HONOR. The V5 sports HONOR's Super Steel Hinge which is engineered for longevity, rated to withstand over 500,000 folding cycles - equivalent to folding it more than 100 times daily for 13 years.
Of course, in the slightly over a week that we had our test mule, we could not even fold it a fraction of those times, but the feeling that the device gave us makes us believe HONOR's claims. From the reassuringly smooth and seamless way it opened every time to the soft yet firm thud when closing it – opening the closing the HONOR V5 gave us an assurance of solidity in its build quality and components.
And it's not just the hinge – the Aerospace Special Fiber material that HONOR has used for the backplate enhances impact resistance by 40% compared to earlier models, while a Ultra-Hard NanoCrystal Shield coating resists scratches and cracks on both screens.
Inside, the main folding display features a non-Newtonian fluid layer that remains flexible during normal use but locks up under impact - adding a smart second layer of protection. In use, this translated to real-world peace of mind. The hinge felt reassuringly rigid and smooth, and the screen demonstrated resilience in pocket scrapes. In the couple of times or so that we dropped (accidentally) the V5, there was peace of mind that it would get barely a scratch, and we were suitably reassured when it emerged completely unscathed. It seems HONOR's durability isn't just protective - it's deeply engineered.
Design and displays: The best of both worlds
A foldable that's both elegant and durable isn't easy to pull off, but HONOR nails it with the Magic V5. The matte metallic cream back of our review piece sported a refined ivory sheen, set off by a large, symmetrical camera array trimmed in metallic gold. Not only is that luxurious look eye-catching, but HONOR's symmetrical housing design also ensures stability when the phone lies flat while folded - no wobbling. The hinge and sides carry the same gold trim, making the whole package look premium and unified.
On the front, there's a 6.43-inch LTPO OLED with 2,376 × 1,060 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3, and a stated 5,000 nits peak brightness. It even supports stylus input, which becomes difficult to engineer when you make a foldable this ultra-thin. A punch-hole houses the 20MP selfie camera, paired with a small slit speaker.
Open it up and you're greeted with a 7.95-inch LTPO OLED, boasting 2,352 × 2,172 resolution, a 120 Hz refresh, and similarly vivid brightness - also built for stylus use. A perennial concern with foldables is the centre crease, but in the V5 it is impressively minimal, and both screens offer ultra-fast dimming and an Eye Comfort mode to lessen strain during prolonged reading sessions.
Viewing was vibrant, crisp and comfortable, whether indoors or under the harsh Dubai summer light. The touchscreen is responsive, and animations are buttery smooth thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite and high-refresh OLEDs.
HONOR also bundles useful accessories: a clip-on back protective casing that doubles as a kickstand, a USB-C cable, a 66W wired SuperCharge adapter, and even a pre-applied screen protector, though with the NanoCrystal coating, you might never need it.
Cameras: Impressive for both stills and video
The Magic V5 continues HONOR's commitment to photography with a strong triple-camera setup. Its lens array is a 50MP f/1.6 main camera (OIS), 64MP f/2.5 telephoto (OIS, 3× optical zoom), and a 50MP f/2.0 ultrawide.
Together, they deliver up to 3× optical and 100× digital zoom for photos, and 4K@60fps video with 10× digital zoom. Selfie cams (20MP) on both screens still offer decent image quality for casual photos and video calls.
Daylight photos impressed us with lifelike colours, excellent dynamic range, and sharp detail up to 6× zoom. Beyond that, quality dipped, but AI improvements helped maintain readable shots, especially for inanimate subjects like architecture or foliage.
Low-light shots fared well at up to 2× zoom, with accurate colour and reasonable noise control. The Harcourt portrait modes - Classic mono, Colour, and Vibrant - add a vintage studio polish to portraits, plus film-style filters for creative flair.
Video is dependable too: the rear cameras capture steady 4K footage with accurate colour. Selfie cams work fine for social sharing, but the main setup clearly offers more serious photography capability.
Battery performance
Battery life is one of the Magic V5's highlights. Our testing logged roughly two days of real-world usage, even with the powerful display and Snapdragon chip in play. Social media scrolls, texts, video calls and music leaned more into endurance than power drains.
Charging remains swift: 66W wired had the phone full in under an hour. We also tried a 50W wireless charger and saw a time to full charge that was only marginally more. Performance across the board was excellent, from quick app launches and seamless task switching to smooth rendering in games and video editing. And thanks to upgraded cooling (titanium vapor chamber + aerogel), thermal throttling was minimal, even under sustained load.
In the final analysis, the new HONOR Magic V5 doesn't just target one standout trait; it strikes a rare, thorough balance. At just 8.8mm in thickness when folded, and 4.4mm when open, it is slim yet substantial while being HONOR's thinnest foldable. But this slimness comes at no compromise on the battery, which remains a massive 5,820 mAh unit with fast wired and wireless charging.
On the AI features front, the HONOR Magic V5 is is a device with accessible intelligence, with Gemini-powered AI, Magic Sidebar, HONOR Connect, and TapTap offering thoughtful convenience and cross-platform fluidity.
And when it comes to durability, the device is extremely well-built, with IP58/IP59 protection, Super Steel Hinge, aerospace-grade materials, and advanced screen shielding that gave us the impression that it would effortlessly and genuinely stand up to real-world wear.
Available now for pre-order at Dh6,499, the phone will come with a pre-order gift package worth of Dh3,695, comprising a HONOR Magic Pen, extra HONOR Magic V5 case and a Bose Revolve Bluetooth speaker. What's more, a 12-month, 1-time HONOR Care-Screen Protection is also bundled in for free, as is a 24-month 8-times HONOR Care-Customised Service.
Even without these deal-sweeteners, the HONOR Magic V5 is good enough to go to the top of your shopping list. If you're after a premium foldable that delivers on durability, battery life, performance and everyday intelligence, the HONOR Magic V5 is a compelling pick — blending elegance, expertise and endurance into one sleek, fashionable and stylish package that only a well-made foldable can provide.
HONOR Magic V5
Price: Dh6499
Pre-orders start: August 14, 2025
Pre-order gift package worth of Dh3695 includes:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tahawul Tech
13 hours ago
- Tahawul Tech
Kaspersky highlights biometric, signature risks with attempts up by 21.2% in UAE
Kaspersky has detected and blocked over 142 million phishing link clicks globally in Q2 2025, the UAE saw a 21.2% increase from Q1 in phishing attempts. Currently phishing is going through a shift driven by sophisticated AI-powered deception techniques and innovative evasion methods. Cybercriminals are exploiting deepfakes, voice cloning and trusted platforms like Telegram and Google Translate to steal sensitive data, including biometrics, electronic signatures and handwritten signatures, posing unprecedented risks to individuals and businesses. AI-powered tactics transforming phishing attacks AI has elevated phishing into a highly personalized threat. Large language models enable attackers to craft convincing emails, messages and websites that mimic legitimate sources, eliminating grammatical errors that once exposed scams. AI-driven bots on social media and messaging apps impersonate real users, engaging victims in prolonged conversations to build trust. These bots often fuel romantic or investment scams, luring victims into fake opportunities with AI-generated audio messages or deepfake videos. Attackers also create realistic audio and video deepfake impersonations of trusted figures — colleagues, celebrities or even bank officials — to promote fake giveaways or extract sensitive information. For instance, automated calls mimicking bank security teams use AI-generated voices to trick users into sharing two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, enabling account access or fraudulent transactions. Additionally, AI-powered tools analyze public data from social media or corporate websites to launch targeted attacks, such as HR-themed emails or fake calls referencing personal details. Employing new tactics to bypass detection Phishers are deploying sophisticated methods to gain trust, exploiting legitimate services to prolong their campaigns. For instance, Telegram's Telegraph platform, a tool to publish long texts, is used to host phishing content. Google Translate's page translation feature generates links that look like and are used by attackers to bypass security solutions' filters. Attackers now also integrate CAPTCHA, a common anti-bot mechanism, into phishing sites before directing users to the malicious page itself. By using CAPTCHA, these fraudulent pages deflect anti-phishing algorithms, as the presence of CAPTCHA is often associated with trusted platforms, lowering the likelihood of detection. A switch in hunting: from logins and passwords to biometrics and signatures The focus has shifted from passwords to immutable data. Attackers target biometric data through fraudulent sites that request smartphone camera access under pretexts like account verification, capturing facial or other biometric identifiers that cannot be changed. These are used for unauthorized access to sensitive accounts or sold on the dark web. Similarly, electronic and handwritten signatures, critical for legal and financial transactions, are stolen via phishing campaigns impersonating platforms like DocuSign or prompting users to upload signatures to fraudulent sites, posing significant reputational and financial risks to businesses. 'The convergence of AI and evasive tactics has turned phishing into a near-native mimic of legitimate communication, challenging even the most vigilant users. Attackers are no longer satisfied with stealing passwords — they're targeting biometric data, electronic and handwritten signatures, potentially creating devastating, long-term consequences. By exploiting trusted platforms like Telegram and Google Translate, and co-opting tools like CAPTCHA, attackers are outpacing traditional defenses. Users must stay increasingly skeptical and proactive to avoid falling victim,' said Olga Altukhova, security expert at Kaspersky. Earlier in 2025 Kaspersky detected a sophisticated targeted phishing campaign which was dubbed Operation ForumTroll, as attackers sent personalized phishing emails inviting recipients to the 'Primakov Readings' forum. These lures targeted media outlets, educational institutions and government organizations in Russia. After clicking on the link in the email, no additional action was needed to compromise their systems: the exploit leveraged a previously unknown vulnerability in the latest version of Google Chrome. The malicious links were extremely short-lived to evade detection and in most cases ultimately redirected to the legitimate website for 'Primakov Readings' once the exploit was taken down. To be protected from phishing, Kaspersky recommends: Verify unsolicited messages, calls, or links, even if they appear legitimate. Never share 2FA codes. Scrutinize videos for unnatural movements or overly generous offers, which may indicate deepfakes. Deny camera access requests from unverified sites and avoid uploading signatures to unknown platforms. Limit sharing sensitive details online, such as document photos or sensitive work information. Use Kaspersky Next (in corporate environments) or Kaspersky Premium (for individual use) to block phishing attempts.
Khaleej Times
15 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Want to go home shopping in the UAE? Pick up your VR goggles
Buying and selling property has traditionally been a slow and often painful process, involving multiple parties, paperwork and physical viewings. But technology is making serious inroads into making property transactions both faster and smoother. Welcome to proptech (property technology). One example of proptech that is already being used is virtual tours. What started out as pre-recorded videos of the property became live thanks to streaming apps like Zoom. Now, more sophisticated property agents use Virtual Reality (VR) goggles to give a more immersive experience. 'Imagine a world where you, as a potential homeowner, can roam around your new property, whether it's off-plan or you are overseas. This is a game changer,' says Eyal Ashur, a sales consultant at AQUA Properties. 'Developers like Emaar, Dubai Properties, and DAMAC offer VR walk-throughs where you can tour balconies, change finishes, or see how sunset light hits your future living room,' adds Fouad Bekkar, a proptech expert and the CEO of Coraly (previously Coralytics). However, adoption is primarily limited to luxury and off-plan segments, according to Himanshu Niranjani, chief technology officer at Property Finder. 'We are exploring how best to expand immersive experiences, with the aim to solve real problems, be it decision anxiety, inability to visit in person, or lack of confidence in layout and lighting. We do not see VR as a gimmick, instead we view it as a utility when integrated into a larger decision-making journey.' Instant valuations What Proptech is having the biggest impact on how people buy and sell their homes in the UAE? 'Websites and apps that give regular people access to up-to-date transaction data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD),' says Jack Sellers, founder of YallaValue, a valuation platform that provides free estimates for properties in Dubai. 'Historically, this information was only accessible to brokers, but now it has leveled the playing field and created informed buyers and sellers.' Tools like the DLD's Smart Evaluation deliver government-backed valuations in seconds. 'If both parties agree, you can finalise the sale instantly, no agent or banker needed,' adds Sellers. Other solutions include Property Finder's Home Value Estimator, which crunches multiple market variables (transaction feeds, unit specs) to deliver fast valuations and heat-map pricing, which are handy for both sellers and those weighing up renting versus buying comparisons. Betterhomes has just launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered instant valuation tool and an AI co-pilot for brokers to give them real-time market data on the go. 'So much of the mundane day-to-day tasks of the brokerage can, and will, become automated, freeing up the very best brokers to focus more time on supporting a greater number of clients,' says board member Richard Waind. Property Finder has a price algorithm that looks at similar listings and determines a minimum and maximum realistic price of the listing. If the listing is under or overpriced (by approximately 5 per cent of the range), this is flagged to the real estate professional overseeing the listing. 'These programmes eliminate noise and enable faster, smarter transactions. We're not just showcasing listings, we're helping consumers get to the right decision faster,' says Niranjani. Mortgage approvals Another potential roadblock that slows property transactions is mortgages, but this is being tackled with proptech apps like Holo. It uses an algorithm integrated into the backend systems of more than 20 banks in the UAE to speed things up. 'Once a user submits their application, the platform runs real-time eligibility checks using live bank criteria, such as salary, employment type, and property details, to instantly generate a shortlist of personalised mortgage offers they actually qualify for,' explains Michael Hunter, CEO and Co-Founder of Holo. From there, in-house mortgage managers step in to analyse the shortlist and help the buyer understand which product offers the best long-term value based on their goals, whether it's lower monthly payments, early settlement flexibility, or the fastest approval timeline. 'So it's tech-driven speed, with human insight layered on top.' One of the major benefits of fractional ownership on the blockchain is liquidity. Currently, it's an administrative nightmare to change dozens of names on the title deed on a constant basis" Eyal Ashur, Sales Consultant At Aqua Properties Digital contracts Property purchases are known for being paper-based and requiring lots of in-person signatures and stamps. But the DLD now records nearly half of all property sales on a blockchain-based system. Think of the blockchain as a giant shared Google Doc for transactions — everyone can view and verify the document online — without needing a central owner. The DLD plans to put more transactions on the blockchain to verify ownership. It has launched the Dubai REST app (short for Real Estate Self Transaction). This is a digital platform that handles a wide range of real estate services, transactions, and market data in one convenient tool. Buyers can use the Dubai REST app to transfer funds securely, while the ownership title updates on the blockchain in real-time, cutting paperwork and delays by up to 30 per cent, according to Coraly's Bekkar. In June, a Kensington Waters apartment was tokenised and transferred in just under two minutes. 'That's not just fast, that's revolutionary. No more waiting days between deposit and deed, all transactions are traceable, tamper-resistant, and fraud-proof. International buyers can complete deals remotely, ID verification and e-signatures happen inside the app,' explains Bekkar. The DLD has also begun issuing tokenised title deeds via its Real Estate Evolution Space (REES) programme,. Betterhomes' Waind says he expects that RERA will be bringing in the same system for leasing contracts in coming months. Fractional ownership With spiralling property prices, particularly in Dubai, some providers now offer fractional ownership. This means you can buy a portion of the property, rather than the whole thing. One company doing this is called Stake. The DLD, via the Prypco Mint Platform, also offers a type of fractional ownership called property tokenisation. You can buy a fraction of a property, which is stored on the blockchain and exists in the form of a digital token. Such schemes are proving very popular. 'One of the major benefits of fractional ownership on the blockchain is liquidity. Currently, it's an administrative nightmare to change dozens of names on the title deed on a constant basis,' says Ashur. The future Property experts see a number of themes emerging in the coming years. One of them is artificial intelligence (AI) agents, which Property Finder's Niranjani predicts will become more mainstream. 'Imagine interacting with a voice or chat interface that learns your preferences, understands local nuances, and helps you search, compare and even initiate paperwork, without opening an app.' Another development could see one-click transactions, inspired by e-commerce, where verified units, identities, and payments create an ecosystem allowing for a rental agreement or home purchase to be completed in minutes. 'Proptech in the UAE isn't just about digitising forms, it's about rethinking the entire housing journey. Property Finder's approach is grounded in first-principles thinking, long-term product craftsmanship, and AI-first systems design. We're not chasing trends, we're building the foundation for the next 10 years of real estate in the region.' The UAE is working hard to become one of the leading digitally-focused countries in the world, and its booming property sector is at the forefront of this digital revolution. 'Dubai has become the global launchpad for smart real estate. Blockchain titles, instant valuations. VR walk-throughs, AI contracts. Whether you're scouting from Palm Jumeirah or Paris, you can now view a property, price it, fund it, and own it, all in one day,' adds Coraly's Bekkar.
Khaleej Times
15 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Humanoids play football, boxing at world's first robot games in China
The first World Humanoid Robot Games began on Friday in Beijing with over 500 androids alternating between jerky tumbles and glimpses of real power as they compete in events from the 100-metre hurdles to kung fu. Hundreds of robotics teams from 16 countries are going for gold at the Chinese capital's National Speed Skating Oval, built for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Events include traditional sports like athletics and basketball, as well as practical tasks such as medicine categorisation and cleaning. "I believe in the next 10 years or so robots will be basically at the same level as humans," enthusiastic 18-year-old spectator Chen Ruiyuan said. Human athletes might not be quaking in their boots just yet. At one of the first events on Friday, five-a-side football, 10 robots the size of seven-year-olds shuffled around the pitch, often getting stuck in a scrum or falling over en masse. However, in a 1500m race, domestic champion Unitree 's humanoid stomped along the track at an impressive clip, easily outpacing rivals. The fastest robot AFP witnessed finished in 6min 29.37sec, a far cry from the human men's world record of 3:26.00. One mechanical racer barrelled straight into a human operator. The robot remained standing while the human was knocked flat, though did not appear to be injured. National strategy Robot competitions have been held for decades, but the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games is the first to focus specifically on robots that resemble human bodies, organisers said. The Chinese government has poured support into robotics hoping to lead the industry. Beijing has put humanoids in the "centre of their national strategy", the International Federation of Robotics wrote in a paper on Thursday. "The government wants to showcase its competence and global competitiveness in this field of technology," it added. Joost Weerheim, an operator with a Dutch five-a-side robot football team, told AFP he was impressed. "I think right now if they are not already the world leader, they are very, very quickly becoming it," he said. In March, China announced plans for a one-trillion-yuan fund ($139 billion) to support technology startups, including those in robotics and AI. The country is already the world's largest market for industrial robots, official statistics show, and in April Beijing held what organisers dubbed the world's first humanoid robot half-marathon. At the kung fu competition area, a pint-sized robot resembling one from the popular Transformer series attempted to execute a move, but fell flat on its front. It spun around on the floor as it struggled to get back up, the crowd happily cheering.
