Honor's New Magic V2 Foldable Packs Flagship Hardware into Ultra-Slim Body

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Honor's New Magic V2 Foldable Packs Flagship Hardware into Ultra-Slim Body
Honor's New Magic V2 Foldable Packs Flagship Hardware into Ultra-Slim Body / The Verge

The newly announced Honor Magic V2 foldable smartphone aims to push the boundaries of foldable device design with an incredibly thin and lightweight chassis. When folded, the Magic V2 measures 9.9mm thick and weighs only 231g thinner and lighter than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. This impressive engineering makes the V2 look like a standard smartphone when closed.

Folded down, the dimensions and weight of the Magic V2 are very close to non-folding phones. At 9.9mm thick, it's only slightly thicker than an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, which are 7.85mm.

Its weight is squarely between the standard and Max iPhone 14 models. This allows the V2 to feel practically like a normal smartphone when closed.

Magic V2 Foldable Phone's Weight Rivals Non-Folding Smartphones
Magic V2 Foldable Phone's Weight Rivals Non-Folding Smartphones / The Verge

Honor says the Magic V2 achieves its remarkably thin folded profile thanks to advanced engineering. Proprietary stainless steel makes up 67% of the redesigned hinge, 25% thinner and 20% stronger than the previous generation. The new hinge mechanism is also 75% thinner overall.

In addition to allowing a slimmer device, the Magic V2's new hinge design also offers smoother and more solid operation. Testers report a satisfying "clunk" when opening the phone fully. However, the long-term durability of the intricate hinge remains an open question.

The Magic V2 continues Honor's focus on providing superb display quality. The exterior 6.43" screen and inner 7.92" folding display offer sharp resolutions, tall aspect ratios, and fast 120Hz refresh rates. The outer screen tops an incredible 2500 nits brightness.

Aside from the displays, the Magic V2 delivers flagship-level hardware like its predecessor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and up to 12GB RAM match or exceed other foldable rivals. However, pre-production software means the triple camera system is yet to be tested extensively.

In its home market of China, the base Magic V2 will sell for approximately USD 1250. An "Ultimate Edition" with extra storage and a stylus pen will be available for around $1670. The phone is slated to launch in China by the end of July 2022.

While Honor provided reviewers outside China with Magic V2 units, the company has yet to confirm wider international availability. However, Honor is considering a broader global launch for the Magic V2 and its impressive thin design.

Sources: theverge.com