Honor Unveils Magic V5: World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone to Challenge Samsung Ahead of Galaxy Z Fold 7 Launch

Chinese tech brand Honor has taken a bold step in the foldable smartphone race with the launch of its ultra-slim Magic V5, just days before Samsung unveils its Galaxy Z Fold 7. Touted as the thinnest foldable phone ever, the Magic V5 measures just 8.8 mm when folded, significantly slimmer than Samsung’s Z Fold 6 at 12.1 mm.

The Magic V5 aims to push foldable phones closer to the dimensions of conventional smartphones, while still offering a large 7.95-inch inner display and a 6.4-inch outer screen, enabling seamless multitasking and immersive content viewing.

Honor’s Bold Entry in the Foldable Market

Launched initially in China with a starting price of CNY 8,999 (approx. $1,256), the Magic V5 will also reach select global markets outside the U.S. Honor sees Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone (expected in 2026) as a potential growth accelerator for the foldable category.

“We welcome Apple’s participation and are not afraid to compete directly with them,” Honor stated.

Design and Build: Beauty Meets Engineering

Thickness (folded): 8.8 mm (white variant), 9 mm (other colors)

Thickness (open): 4.1 mm (white), 4.2 mm (others)

Display: 6.4" outer + 7.95" inner AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate

Color options: White, black, gold, and brown

Honor has visibly minimized the crease in the display, a common issue in foldables, although it's still faintly noticeable when the screen is off.

Performance and Features

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite

Battery: Up to 6,100 mAh (China), 5,820 mAh (international)

Charging: 66W wired, 50W wireless

Storage: Up to 1TB in China; 512GB elsewhere

Camera: Triple-lens rear system

Durability: Enhanced dust and water resistance

Honor’s silicon carbon battery tech allows for a thinner 2.3 mm battery module with higher energy density. Additionally, the phone's steel hinge, built using an AI-assisted manufacturing process, contributes to a tighter and more resilient structure.

Samsung’s Response and the Foldable Future

As Samsung prepares to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on July 9, it is expected to offer a wider outer screen for better usability. However, even with these changes, Honor’s Magic V5 may retain the crown as the world’s slimmest foldable, giving Samsung—and eventually Apple—stiff competition in a market still finding its mainstream footing.