HONOR revealed its latest flagship, the HONOR Magic V3, at the exclusive ‘HONOR the Innovation’ event. The launch of HONOR Magic V3 highlights HONOR’s unwavering commitment to innovation and the future of foldable technology, as the company continues to push boundaries and shape the tech landscape. The event followed HONOR’s announcement from the IFA 2024 site in Germany last week, where the company, in collaboration with Qualcomm and Microsoft, unveiled a trio of pioneering mobile AI solutions, spotlighting advancements in AI-driven computing and security.

 

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AI Agent, an on-device assistant that enhances user efficiency by automating tasks and integrating seamlessly with various apps. Additionally, HONOR introduced the world’s first on-device AI Deepfake Detection technology, which utilizes advanced algorithms to identify manipulated media and safeguard users from digital deception.

HONOR Magic V3 Review: Redefining Foldable Excellence

At the heart of the event in Dubai, is HONOR’s vision to redefine the mobile experience with groundbreaking features and design, making the HONOR Magic V3 a pivotal device in the company’s product lineup. From its innovative AI-integrated features, sleek and ultra-thin foldable design, and high-end camera systems, HONOR Magic V3 represents HONOR’s mission to deliver cutting-edge technology that meets the needs of modern users.

The UAE’s focus on becoming a global hub for innovation aligns with HONOR’s mission to elevate the mobile technology standard. Through events and devices like the Magic V3, HONOR aims to contribute to the UAE’s vision of a more connected, tech-driven future.  The event also featured a dynamic panel discussion, “Social Coins of Innovation”. The panel spotlighted thought leaders including Mona Ataya, Founder of Mumzworld; Sudhu Arumugam, Chief Product Officer of M2; and Rishabh Singh, Vice President of Products at Astra Tech. Attendees experienced the future of mobile technology, networked with key figures in the tech industry, and gained insights from influential speakers.

As HONOR continues to make significant strides in the UAE and beyond, the successful launch of HONOR Magic V3 reaffirms the brand’s dedication to creating transformative technology. By consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, HONOR remains at the forefront of technological advancement, delivering products that are not only innovative but also practical, versatile, and designed for the future. The strong reception at the event sets the stage for HONOR Magic V3 to become a landmark device, solidifying HONOR’s role as a global leader in smart devices.

The HONOR Magic V3 is the newest contender in the foldable smartphone arena, striving to set new standards with its innovative design, superior build quality, impressive display, advanced camera system, AI capabilities, robust internal specs, outstanding performance, long battery life, and excellent value for money. Let’s explore each feature to see how it measures up.

Design and Build Quality
The HONOR Magic V3 stands out as a marvel of modern engineering, claiming the title of the slimmest and lightest book-style foldable phone available. Building on the success of its predecessor, the HONOR Magic V3 sets a new industry standard with its impressively slim folded thickness of just 9.2mm, comparable to a regular flagship bar phone.

This feat is achieved using 19 innovative materials and 114 microstructures. The HONOR Magic V3’s design boasts timeless aesthetics, featuring a dome-shaped octagonal camera module inspired by classic architecture. Available in three nature-inspired colours—Reddish Brown, Green, and Black—it adds a touch of elegance to its overall appeal. The variant reviewed here is the Green variant.

The proprietary HONOR Super Steel Hinge guarantees the device can withstand up to 500,000 folding cycles and has earned the SGS Durability Certification. To further enhance its resilience against accidental drops, the display features the HONOR Super Armored Inner Screen and HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield, offering additional protection for both screens.

Display Quality
The Magic V3 boasts two impressive OLED displays. It features a 6.43-inch external display and 7.92-inch internal foldable display, offering immersive dual-use functionality. The foldable also comes with an AI Defocus Display technology to alleviate nearwork-induced transient myopia (NITM). HONOR claims that the on-device AI can simulate retina defocus effects for myopia control.

In addition, the HONOR Magic V3 features a comprehensive set of AI-powered, human-centric eye-comfort innovations, including 4320Hz Risk-free PWM Dimming, Dynamic Dimming, Circadian Night Display, and Nature Tone Display. The inner screen offers a resolution of 2344-by-2156 pixels and an aspect ratio of 9.78:9. The outer screen meanwhile offers a resolution of 2376-by-1060 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9.

The inner display is nearly crease-free, marking a significant improvement over earlier foldable models. The colours are vivid, and the brightness levels are more than sufficient for outdoor use.

Camera Quality
The HONOR Magic V3’s camera setup is impressive, featuring a 50MP wide lens with an aperture of f/1.6 and OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens with an aperture of f/3.0 and OIS, and a 40MP ultrawide lens with an aperture of f/2.2. The camera app comes with a wide range of shooting modes such as AI photography, Super Wide Angle, Aperture, Night, Portrait mode, Photo, Pro mode, Video, Panorama, Filter, Watermark, Scan Document, Super Macro, Capture smiles, Time-lapse, Timer, Movie, Slow-MO, and Story.

The camera performance is excellent, thanks to large sensors and wide apertures that excel in low-light photography. The Studio Harcourt portrait effects – such as Harcourt Vibrant, Harcourt Color, and Harcourt Classic – first seen on the HONOR 200 Pro, are also available, making this phone a strong contender for the best foldable camera phone.

The device also boasts AI-enhanced photography features, including HONOR AI Motion Sensing and the HONOR AI Portrait Engine. The AI Portrait Engine captures stunning optical portrait shots with a natural bokeh effect.

AI Features
The HONOR Magic V3 integrates both on-device and cloud AI innovations to deliver a convenient and intelligent user experience. Running on MagicOS 8.0.1 based on Android 14, it features Magic Portal on Foldable, which uses on-device AI to understand the user and provide tailored recommendations.

The AI capabilities include intelligent photo enhancements, scene recognition, and real-time translation. Additionally, the AI optimises battery performance and manages background processes to ensure smooth and efficient operation. These features make the HONOR Magic V3 not only a powerful device but also an intelligent one.

The HONOR Magic V3 also leverages on-device AI to provide habit-based app recommendations on the homepage and organises your pages by app types. It also features Parallel Space, enabling you to operate dual-space apps independently, as if you had two phones. The HONOR Magic V3 is equipped with three bespoke chips that work together to enhance fluency, stability, battery optimisation, and hardware-level security.

Internal Specifications
Beneath its sleek exterior, the HONOR Magic V3 is driven by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. This powerful combination ensures the device can effortlessly handle everything from multitasking to gaming. Additionally, the phone is equipped with a substantial 5,150mAh battery, supporting 66W wired HONOR SuperCharge and 50W wireless charging, allowing for quick and convenient recharging.

Performance
The AI performance of the HONOR Magic V3 is impressive. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and enhanced by HONOR’s AI optimisations, the device runs smoothly and efficiently. The AI features boost camera performance, optimise battery life, and effectively manage background processes. This makes the Magic V3 a smart and efficient device that adapts seamlessly to your usage patterns. The device provides a smooth and intuitive user experience, even during gaming sessions.

The HONOR Magic V3 also supports the HONOR Magic-Pen on both its internal and external displays, allowing you to write, draw, and annotate. The Magic-Pen also enhances precision, especially in art and text editing scenarios. Additionally, you can seamlessly switch between the internal and external displays without needing to set the HONOR Magic-Pen aside, ensuring a continuous and uninterrupted experience.

Battery Life
The battery life of the HONOR Magic V3 is also pretty good. As mentioned earlier, the HONOR Magic V3 comes with the ultra-large 5150mAh third-generation HONOR Silicon-carbon Battery which ensures reliable performance and exceptional battery life. Plus, its fast charging capabilities offer quick recharges when necessary.

Verdict
The HONOR Magic V3 sets new benchmarks in the foldable smartphone market with its ultra-thin design, impressive displays, powerful performance, and advanced AI features, making it a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts. The HONOR Magic V3 comes with a premium price tag, which aligns with its high-end features and specifications.

It delivers excellent performance, a stunning design, and impressive camera capabilities. While the cost may be a barrier for some, those seeking a top-tier foldable phone will find the Magic V3 to be a worthwhile investment. Overall, the HONOR Magic V3 is a strong contender in the foldable phone market and worth considering if you’re looking for a premium foldable device. The HONOR Magic V3 thus walks away with the Gadget Voize Editors’ Choice Award.

Price: AED 6899