FOLDABLE phones are nothing new or novel in the world of tech. In fact, in the 2000s they were the trend. Remember the flip phones? That’s what they used to be!
These devices had smaller screens, sported protruding hinges, and came with the mini version of the telephone keypad, the opposite of what we see in production and use in the present.
Foldable phones of today are leagues above compared to their ancestors. They’re designed to be bigger and thinner in form, all screen with smaller bezels, sans the protruding hinges, and packing the most recent camera setup and processing chip.
Take for example HONOR’s newest entry into the foldable device block of the smartphone market, the Magic V2.
The latest iteration in the Chinese smartphone maker’s Magic V series, the HONOR Magic V2 encapsulates what a foldable smartphone should be—compromising little and giving its users a performance worthy of applause.
Let’s breakdown the reasons why:
Thinnest of them all
Out of all the book-style folded phones available now, the HONOR Magic V2 takes the crown when it comes to being the thinnest and lightest.
Weighing at only 231g and measuring a mere 4.7mm when unfolded and 9.9mm thick when folded, this device is a marvel of mobile engineering.
This extra compact composition makes it a more portable option as a daily driver than other foldables out on the market. As a matter of fact, the device in its folded form functions just like a regular smartphone—thanks, in part, to a new titanium alloy hinge mechanism developed by HONOR.
The only downside is the phone’s lack of an IP rating, which means you have to be careful with the device when near liquids or bodies of water.
Innovative Displays
The HONOR Magic V2 features two cutting-edge LTPO OLED screens: the foldable internal display and the cover panel.
The internal display unfolds to a massive 7.92 inches with a vibrant 2K resolution. Its spacious screen facilitates seamless multitasking, particularly with the split-screen function.
Meanwhile, the 6.43-inch cover display boasts a peak brightness of 2500 nits and mirrors a traditional smartphone experience, promoting intuitive interaction while on the go.
On top of this, both displays support adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+, making sure high-quality viewing is achieved in whatever form you choose.
Superb Shooting Capabilities
The number of cameras a phone has is not indicative of how well it shoots photos, however, HONOR’s five-camera foldable seems to be saying otherwise.
Getting into specifics, the Magic V2’s principal camera setup features a powerful 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide shooter, and a 20-megapixel telephoto lens.
This impressive primary camera array consistently delivers images with stunning clarity and saturation, specifically in ideal lighting. But in dim or lowlight environments, the camera suffers from detail loss and the photos come out looking a bit washed out.
When it comes to taking selfies, the Magic V2 will be right up your alley with two 16-megapixel selfie shooters: one on the cover panel and one on the internal screen.
Long-lasting and fluid performance
Apart from being the thinnest, the HONOR Magic V2 boasts of impressive power with its 5,000-mAh silicon carbon battery that offers an all-day experience under moderate to heavy use.
Charging was also stress-free as it came with a 66W power brick capable of juicing up your device from 0% to 100% in under an hour.
Performance-wise, the V2 handled everything without trouble—from running graphic-intensive games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact to streaming, calls, and music playback. This is thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a top-of-the-line processor from last year.
Powered by AI
HONOR introduced several new AI-based features to the Magic V2—one of which is called Privacy Call. This AI-driven directional sound technology prevents sound from leaking during calls, ensuring that conversations remain private.
Another notable addition is Magic Text. It recognizes text content within images, converting it into editable text. This feature comes in handy for digitizing handwritten recipes or notes, provided the handwriting is legible and clear.
Verdict
It’s not a stretch to say that the HONOR Magic V2 embodies the pinnacle of today’s foldable phone technology.
With its slimmer, lighter design, it’s the first foldable to come extremely close to the build of a traditional bar smartphone when folded— taking the portability to a new extreme.
Though smaller in form, HONOR manages to pack the Magic V2 with the most premium features, making it a powerhouse that does not rely on its good looks or gimmicks but shows its worth on how excellent it performs in all aspects.
Release and Pricing
The HONOR Magic V2 officially launched in the Philippines on February 21 in four colorways — Black, Silk Black, Silk Purple, and Gold.
HONOR Magic V2 has an SRP of P79,999 with exciting pre-order freebies until March 1, 2024, HONOR Watch GS 3 and Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 HIFI Speaker worth P28,000! HONOR Magic V2 is now available for pre-order on HONOR Experience and Partner Stores or online via Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop!