World’s thinnest foldable phone? Honor’s Magic V5 turning heads

Chinese smartphone maker Honor has unveiled the Magic V5, a device it claims is the thinnest foldable phone in the world, though only if you ignore a few caveats, including its sizeable rear camera bump.

Launched today in China and expected to roll out internationally “soon”, the Magic V5 measures just 8.8mm thick when folded shut, shaving off a fraction of a millimetre from rival Oppo’s Find N5.

That slimness, however, applies exclusively to the phone’s Ivory White version, which features a unique “special fibre” finish.

The other colour variants are a touch bulkier at 9mm, thanks to their vegan leather backings. When unfolded, the handset comes in at 4.1mm, marginally thinner than the 4.2mm Oppo.

By comparison, Huawei’s Mate X trifold still holds the crown for the slimmest open foldable at 3.6mm, though only at its thinnest point.

Yet Honor’s “world’s thinnest” claim comes with a notable asterisk. The phone will be going for 1,070 euros (approximately Sh163,000).

The Magic V5’s triple rear camera system, including a 64-megapixel periscope lens, protrudes significantly from the chassis, more than half of the folded phone itself. While the enhanced imaging specs may justify the bulk, the raised module undermines the company’s headline claim.

Strong specs, subtle progress

Despite the marketing focus on thinness, the Magic V5 brings credible improvements under the hood. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, it offers up to 16GB of RAM, a substantial 5,820mAh battery, and dual 120Hz LTPO OLED displays.

The device also supports wireless charging and boasts both IP58 and IP59 ratings, placing it among the most durable foldables on the market.

The Magic V5 may also tie in with Vivo’s recently announced X Fold 5 as the lightest foldable to date, both weighing just 217 grams.

The foldable plateau?

Industry watchers say the fierce race for the title of "thinnest" foldable may be nearing its end, as manufacturers run up against physical constraints.

Thinner phones must balance internal space for batteries, cameras, and cooling systems, all without compromising on performance or durability.

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• Technology
• locally assembled phones
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• Galaxy Z Flip 6
• Android phones
• Foldable phone
• Honor
• Magic V5
• Oppo
• World’s thinnest foldable phone? Honor’s Magic V5 turning heads
• Business

Honor’s previous flagship, the Magic V3, held the thinness record briefly before being surpassed by Oppo.

Now, all eyes are on Samsung, which is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7 next week with a slimmer form factor of its own.

The Honor Magic V5 is available in the following colour options:

Ivory White – the thinnest variant at 8.8mm, thanks to its “special fibre” finish

Green – featuring a vegan leather back, slightly thicker at 9mm

Black – with a classic fibre-leather texture, also at 9mm

Purple – a more vibrant finish with a refined matte feel

Key specifications:

Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite

RAM: Up to 16GB

Battery: 5,820mAh

Displays: Dual 120Hz LTPO OLED (internal and external)

Rear cameras: Triple lens setup with 64MP periscope

Folded thickness: 8.8mm (White), 9mm (Others)

Open thickness: 4.1mm

Weight: 217g

Water/dust rating: IP58/IP59