Honor Magic V3

The latest to join the Honor family is none other than the Honor Magic V3. It is the latest iteration of the brand’s foldable phone series, refining its predecessor with improved design and performance, although it still falls short in some areas. While not revolutionary, the Magic V3 offers a solid, well-priced alternative to more expensive foldables on the market. Briefly, the Honor Magic V3 stands out with its bold design, featuring a striking phthalo green back and a large camera module that is both visually appealing and functional. Like its predecessor, it folds flat, and the screen crease is barely noticeable. However, the included case is a point of contention. While the back part fits snugly, the side panel extends too far, hindering the use of edge gestures. With the full case attached, users cannot swipe from the edges of the screen to go back a page, but removing the side piece allows some functionality to return. Additionally, the case adds unnecessary bulk around the camera and doesn’t provide a stable stand when unfolded, making it more of a design flaw than a functional accessory. 

The foldable display is undoubtedly a highlight, providing a massive 7.9-inch screen when unfolded, offering ample space for multitasking, note-taking, and content consumption. While the larger screen is useful for certain tasks like watching videos or using two apps simultaneously, the need for such a large display in daily use remains debatable. Most apps do not take full advantage of the screen’s size, leading to borders or centered content. The hinge mechanism is strong enough to prop the phone at various angles for easier viewing, but the overall utility of the foldable form factor may be limited for many users. On the performance front, this model offers solid functionality, though it is not without quirks. The phone runs on Honor’s MagicOS, which has seen improvements in user interface organization and app management. However, it still suffers from pre-installed bloatware, which can be annoying until removed. Despite this, most native apps perform well, and the setup process is intuitive.

The camera setup on this phone features three large lenses that produce impressive results, particularly in terms of zoom. The 50x and 100x zoom capabilities outperform those of competitors like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, with the images maintaining clarity at high magnifications. However, portrait mode can struggle with focusing, often misidentifying foreground and background elements. While this could be addressed through software updates, it remains a significant flaw for those who frequently use portrait mode. One of the Magic V3’s strongest points has to be its battery life, which performs exceptionally well, easily lasting a full day under typical usage. This is a notable advantage over some competitors, making it a reliable option for those seeking a foldable phone that doesn’t need constant recharging. The Honor Magic V3 is a compelling foldable phone that offers a great balance of design, performance, and battery life. While it doesn’t offer revolutionary features and has some software and hardware limitations, its stylish design, long-lasting battery, and solid performance make it a strong contender in the foldable market. Despite falling behind established Western brands in certain areas, it excels in others, providing excellent value for money.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam