Cover image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
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I've always been curious about foldables, but never enough to seriously think about buying one
They've always looked a bit bulky, and let's face it, Malaysia's humid weather plus a chunky phone in your pocket? Not the vibe.
But then came the HONOR Magic V5, the world's thinnest book-style foldable phone. And yes, after trying it out for the past week, I can confidently say this: it has completely changed my mind about foldables.
Let's start with the pros first.
The first thing I noticed when I picked up the Magic V5 is just how ridiculously thin it is
At 8.8mm folded and 4.1mm unfolded (if you get the Ivory White version), it feels almost like a regular slab phone. I actually forgot I had a foldable in my pocket — that's how light and unobtrusive it is.
If you're the type who dislikes bulky gadgets (like me), this phone is a game-changer. Even my wife, who usually carries her phone in her mini handbag, said, "Eh, this one can masuk without making my bag look pregnant."
The phone is available in four colours, with Dawn Gold, Silk Brown, and Black being slightly thicker — measuring 9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded.
For mobile photography enthusiasts, the Magic V5 doesn't mess around
It's packing a 50MP main, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom — all with optical image stabilisation. Plus, there are two 20MP selfie cams (inside and outside).
There's even a feature called AI Super Zoom that lets me shoot at 30x and still get usable images. The image does get blurry and pixelated at 50x and beyond. But then again, I rarely take images in this setting, so it didn't bother me at all.
For those of you who suka travel or post your #OOTD regularly, this phone is more than capable of replacing your mirrorless.
Unfolding the 7.95-inch OLED screen feels like opening a tiny book
I enjoyed reading comics, eBooks, or just doom-scrolling through Instagram. The crease? Barely visible. I had to squint to see it.
Peak brightness hits 5,000 nits, which came in clutch when I was outside at a mamak under glaring sun, trying to read my WhatsApp messages. The outer screen (6.43 inches) is great for quick replies or watching YouTube in bed.
If you're someone who spends a lot of time reading or bingeing on TikTok, this phone absolutely delivers.
With a 5,820mAh battery, the Magic V5 easily made it through a full day of heavy use
From photo snapping, Netflix, Google Maps, and TikTok, I got nearly 10 hours on the smaller screen, and about 6-plus on the unfolded one.
Charging's also fast: 66W wired and 50W wireless. I left it charging while mandi, and boom — it was already near full by the time I got out.
If you pre-order the HONOR Magic V5 before 24 July, you'll get freebies worth up to RM3,497
This includes a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 speaker, 1-year screen crack protection, and 2-year worry-free warranty. That's insane value, especially when you consider the phone itself is going for RM6,999 — the same price as last year's Magic V3.
No phone is perfect. While the Magic V5 nails most things, there are a few quirks.
First, the camera bump is massive. It sticks out like a sore thumb, making the phone a bit wobbly when laid flat. If you like using your phone on a table, especially unfolded, this will annoy you. My workaround was to use the built-in kickstand on the included case. But that brings me to issue number two…
The case makes it chunky again. Ironic, right? The world's slimmest foldable, made fat by its own protective case. You either get elegance or protection. Not both.
And finally, performance is throttled by default. You'll need to manually turn on Performance Mode in the settings to get the full power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Not hard, but it can be a bit annoying for gamers or power users who want top-tier performance out of the box.
So… should you buy the HONOR Magic V5?
Bulky camera bumps aside, the HONOR Magic V5 hits a sweet spot: it's slim, powerful, durable, and surprisingly practical.
Whether you're a power user, mobile photographer, or just someone who wants a foldable that doesn't feel like a brick, this is a great choice.
Bonus: the freebies make the RM6,999 price tag feel more justifiable.
