I’ve been using the Honor Magic V5 and the Galaxy X Fold 7 side by side to see how they compare in real use. The V5 brings a bigger battery, faster charging, a stronger zoom camera with AI upscaling, a built-in stylus option, and a tougher, water-resistant build, while the Fold 7 keeps some strengths like tuned performance and different charging and display trade-offs.
You’ll see how design, screen comfort, cameras, battery life, charging speeds, stylus support, and real-world performance differ between the two. I’ll also note software features, eye comfort details like PWM flicker, and how each phone handles tasks like gaming, video recording, and photography.
Key Takeaways
- The V5 boosts battery size, charging speed, and zoom camera capability.
- You get better stylus support, display comfort, and durable build on the V5.
- Real-world performance and software tuning produce only modest battery and speed gaps.
Design and Build Quality
Thinner, Lighter Frame
You’ll notice the V5 feels slimmer and weighs less than many other foldables. The white model is about 2 mm thinner and 5 g lighter than the Fold 7. The design moves toward a more compact, phone-like cover screen that makes typing and single‑hand use easier.
Toughness and Water Protection
Honor improved the inner screen and overall build to resist daily wear. The V5 carries an IP59 rating, which covers dust and even hot, pressurized water jets. Honor also tested the hinge for 500,000 folds, so you can expect strong mechanical endurance.
Hinge Action and Fold Mechanism
The hinge is slimmer and stronger than before, and it reduces wobble when closed on a desk. When you open it, you might still notice some movement, but Honor’s testing and materials aim to keep the mechanism reliable over long-term use. The hinge also has a decorative pattern and a brushed metal finish that change the feel when you close the phone.
Look, Finish, and Materials
The phone uses a squared-off shape compared with rounder rivals, with a large camera bump that adds stability when closed. Honor applies an anti-reflective coating on the inner screen to reduce glare, though it can introduce a slight purple tint. You’ll find a shimmery brushed metal back and ornate hinge details that give the device a premium appearance.
Display Technology
Screen brightness and refresh speed
You get very bright, fast screens on both panels. Each display runs at 120 Hz, so animations and scrolling feel smooth. The cover screen on the V5 matches typical phone sizing, making typing and one‑hand use easier than most foldables.
The V5 uses stronger OLED hardware and a brighter peak output than past models. That extra brightness helps with outdoor visibility and when using the main lenses for video preview.
PWM rate and eye comfort
The V5 uses a very high PWM frequency (about 4320 Hz) at low brightness, while the Fold 7 uses a lower PWM (480 Hz). Higher PWM frequency reduces perceptible flicker and can make late‑night use easier on your eyes. Honor also bundles eye comfort modes that work with the display to help reduce strain.
If you scroll or record with a camera at certain shutter speeds, the difference in PWM shows as flicker on the lower‑frequency panel. People sensitive to flicker may notice headaches or nausea on lower PWM screens.
Anti‑glare treatment
The V5 includes an anti‑reflective coating on its inner tablet screen. That coating diffuses strong light sources and cuts down on shiny reflections. The Fold 7 lacks this coating, so reflections and highlight blooms can look stronger on its display.
The coating can introduce a slight purple tint at certain angles, but it improves readability in bright or mixed‑lighting conditions.
Fold crease and tactile feel
Both devices show minimal crease when you run your finger over the inner screen. You should not notice the fold much during normal use. The V5 and Fold 7 perform similarly in crease visibility; neither has a clear advantage in day‑to‑day feel.
Honor tested the hinge for 500,000 folds and rates the V5 as more durable, plus it has an IP59 rating for better protection against water jets.
Performance and Hardware
CPU and Memory
You get a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor in the device. It delivers much faster CPU results than last year’s 8 Gen 3—around 40% higher in some multi-core tests. The phone can come with up to 16 GB of RAM and large storage options like 512 GB. That combination handles heavy multitasking and demanding games smoothly.
Storage and System Updates
Your model ships with Android 15 and Magic OS 9. Storage options include high-capacity variants, and Honor promises long-term OS support. Software updates and the new ISP in the chip improve camera processing and system features over older builds.
Heat Control and Battery Performance
The V5 uses a larger 5,820 mAh battery with silicon-carbon chemistry and supports 66 W wired and 50 W wireless charging (you must bring your own charger). In real-world tests, battery life was only modestly better than competitors despite the bigger cell. During heavy gaming the phone ran cooler by a couple degrees Celsius versus older models. Honor also tuned the hinge and internal parts for durability and claims extensive fold-cycle testing.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery Size and Cell Type
You get a much larger battery in this model compared with the Fold 7. The capacity jumps from 4,400 mAh to 5,820 mAh. Honor also uses a newer silicon-carbon battery mix that includes about 15% silicon. That change aims to boost energy density and help the battery last longer over time.
How Fast It Recharges
Charging is noticeably quicker. Wired charging goes up to 66 W, and wireless charging reaches 50 W. By contrast, the Fold 7 tops out at 25 W wired and 15 W wireless. Remember that Honor does not include a charger in the box, so you must bring your own compatible charger and cable.
Real-Use Battery Tests
I ran real-world tests rather than rely on manufacturer claims. In a YouTube streaming test (Wi‑Fi, 150 nits), the V5 lasted only about 5% longer than the Fold 7 — roughly 11 minutes more. In a two-hour gaming test, the V5 ended at 59% battery while the Fold 7 dropped to 55%. The V5 ran cooler by about 2.5°C after gaming. Honor’s local video playback claim shows a much larger gap (49 hours vs 40 hours), but my hands-on tests produced smaller differences despite the much bigger battery.
Camera System
Main, Ultra-Wide, and Telephoto Upgrades
The phone keeps a triple rear camera layout with bigger sensors on the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. The ultra-wide rises from 40 MP to 50 MP. The periscope telephoto moves from 50 MP to 64 MP and uses a larger sensor size. The main wide stays largely the same in hardware but benefits from improved processing.
Zoom and AI-assisted Long-range Shots
You can use an AI Super Zoom feature that needs an internet connection and a few seconds to process. The AI zoom works best for landscapes and architecture and is less reliable on small text or faces because it uses upscaling. The raw telephoto hardware also gives much stronger optical reach compared with older models.
Capturing Motion and High-speed Bursts
Hold the shutter for a high-speed burst mode that captures about 100 photos quickly. Motion sensing capture helps lock focus on fast-moving subjects. These features together make the phone particularly strong for action shots, as the burst and motion detection keep shots sharp.
Video Options and Image Stabilization
You can record at 4K 60 with the rear cameras and use the cover screen as a live preview while recording. This lets you frame yourself with the main lenses instead of relying on selfie cameras. The hardware and ISP improvements support better video capture overall.
Photo Styles, Portraits, and Effects
Tap the photo profile area to choose preset profiles like Natural, Vibrant, and Authentic. Portrait mode offers extra options through Honor’s software partnerships to change the look and feel of subject photos. These modes give you quick control over color and tonal response.
Stylus Support and Productivity
Magic Pen Compatibility
You can use Honor's Magic Pen with both screens on this device. The pen is an optional accessory you buy separately. It brings handwriting, precise drawing, and better note-taking to the foldable experience that some competitors no longer offer.
- Works on cover and inner display
- Adds pressure-sensitive input for sketching and annotations
- Must be purchased separately
Split-Screen and Flex Modes
You can run multiple apps side by side to boost multitasking. The larger inner display makes it easy to have two or three apps visible at once, while the cover screen feels close to a regular phone for quick tasks.
- Use split view for apps like email, browser, and notes
- Three-app layouts available for wider workflows
- Cover screen remains comfortable for typing and one-handed use
App Handover and Quick Tools
You can move work between screens smoothly and access quick toolbars that speed up common tasks. The software includes eye comfort and display tuning that reduce flicker at low brightness, helping you work longer without strain.
- Seamless app continuity between cover and inner screens
- Toolbar and shortcuts for faster actions
- Low-PWM display modes reduce visible flicker and eye fatigue
Software Experience and AI Features
Magic OS 9 Upgrades
You get Magic OS 9 running on the V5 with Android 15 under the hood. The interface runs smoothly on the Snapdragon 8 Elite and supports 120 Hz on both screens. Honor promises long software support, similar to other flagships, so updates should last for years.
Built-in AI Tools and Smart Features
The phone includes multiple on-device AI features for photos and multitasking. You can use motion-sensing capture and burst modes to nail moving subjects. The system also offers eye comfort settings and a low-PWM display option to reduce flicker at low brightness.
Live Call Translation and Fake-Voice Detection
The software includes real-time AI features tied to audio. You can use live translation during calls and tools that help spot deep-fake or altered voices. These features run alongside other communication tools to make calls safer and more useful.
Photo Editor and Image-to-Video Tools
You can edit photos with several color profiles like Natural, Vibrant, and Authentic. AI Super Zoom uses cloud processing to upscale distant shots — best for landscapes and architecture, not close-up text or faces. The camera also supports a high-speed 100-photo burst and improved ultra-wide and periscope sensors for better detail and zoom.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Sharing Files Between Devices
You can move files easily between the foldable and other devices. Use wireless methods like Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi for quick transfers. For larger files, connect via USB or use cloud storage to keep copies synced across phones, tablets, and PCs.
- Wireless: Bluetooth for small files, Wi‑Fi for faster local transfers.
- Wired: USB connection for reliable, fast large-file moves.
- Cloud: Keep backups and access files from any device.
Support for Other Apps and Accessories
Your device works with many third‑party apps and accessories. Most Android apps run on both the cover and inner screens. You can use a stylus (Magic Pen) with the screens for note taking and drawing. Some features may need apps that support multi‑window or pen input to work best.
- Apps: Most Android apps adapt to the foldable layout and 120 Hz screens.
- Stylus: Magic Pen works on both screens; S Pen is not supported on some other models.
- Charging & Peripherals: Fast wired and wireless charging require compatible chargers and accessories.
Comparisons and User Impressions
Honor Magic V5 Compared to Galaxy X Fold 7
- You’ll notice the V5 has a much stronger zoom setup: 64 MP telephoto plus AI Super Zoom versus the Fold 7’s 10 MP telephoto.
- The V5 packs a larger battery (5820 mAh) while the Fold 7 has 4400 mAh. You get faster wired and wireless charging on the V5 (66 W wired, 50 W wireless) compared with the Fold 7 (25 W wired, 15 W wireless).
- The V5 supports a stylus (Magic Pen) for both screens; the Fold 7 no longer supports an S Pen.
- Screen comfort differs: the V5 has an anti-reflective coating and a very high PWM frequency (4320 Hz) that can reduce visible flicker at low brightness. The Fold 7 is 480 Hz.
- Durability and water resistance favor the V5 (IP59 vs IP48). Both offer long OS update promises, but the V5’s hinge, inner screen, and overall build feel more robust to you.
Upgrades From Earlier Honor Models
- Compared to the V3, you get a slimmer, lighter frame and a tougher inner screen. The hinge is stronger and thinner.
- The V5 uses a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and 15% silicon in its silicon-carbon battery, which improves performance and battery tech.
- Camera upgrades include a larger sensor for the periscope and higher megapixel counts for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. You also get new AI camera processing and an HD super-burst for fast action shots.
- Software and display moved forward: MagicOS 9, both screens at 120 Hz, and brighter, faster panels. These changes make everyday use feel smoother and more capable.
How It Feels to Use and What You Should Know
- In daily use the V5 feels fast and cool. You’ll see about 40% CPU improvement over the V3 in some benchmarks, and notable GPU gains for gaming.
- Battery life is longer in lab claims and in many tests, but real-world gains over the Fold 7 are modest — around 5% in one streaming test. Still, the V5 charges much faster and runs cooler after heavy use.
- The V5 gives you a closer-to-phone cover screen size, making typing and single-handed use easier while keeping the big inner display for multitasking.
- Camera handling of moving subjects is excellent; burst and motion-sensing capture work very well. AI Super Zoom helps for distant scenes but needs an internet connection and works best on landscapes and architecture.
- You get a premium feel: ornate hinge design, brushed metal back, and a satisfying close. The V5 can wobble when open, but Honor’s hinge is tested for long-term folding.
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