This is the matchup everyone’s been waiting for — Honor Magic V5 vs VIVO X Fold 5. Two of the most advanced foldables ever made, both thin, sleek, and ridiculously powerful. I spent several days putting them through my real-world daily routine — from unlocking screens and checking notifications to editing videos, snapping photos, and even doing my morning coffee scroll. So, how do they stack up head-to-head? Let’s dive in.
Design and Build
Right away, you’ll notice the VIVO X Fold 5 stands a little taller and slimmer, with softer rounded corners. The Honor Magic V5, on the other hand, has a slightly wider stance, which actually fits my hand better. It’s more comfortable to type on and easier to reach across the display — a subtle but meaningful win for Honor.
Both phones are impressively thin — around 9mm folded — but the Magic V5 does have a larger camera bump. In my “level test,” they were nearly identical in thickness, but when it came to the camera module, the V5 clearly sat higher off the table. Minor detail, but it’s noticeable.
VIVO adds a bonus feature: a programmable side button. It’s not a toggle like on the OnePlus Open, but you can assign it to mute, launch an app, or even trigger the camera. Handy touch, and I actually grew to like it.
Software & Daily Use
I’ll start with the disclaimer — my VIVO X Fold 5 is the Chinese version, while the Honor Magic V5 I used is global. So yes, there are some quirks. For instance, on the VIVO, your lock screen wallpaper mirrors your home screen, and you can’t change them separately. Small annoyance, but one that bugged me. Honor, thankfully, gives you full customization freedom.
Both phones unlock quickly with their side-mounted fingerprint readers. I used to think Samsung’s ultrasonic sensor was faster, but these two are lightning quick. No hesitation.
On the inside, both run Android 15, but they take different approaches.
- Honor Magic V5: MagicOS 9, Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB RAM, 5820 mAh battery.
- VIVO X Fold 5: ColorOS-based OriginOS 4, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16GB RAM, 6000 mAh battery.
That means the VIVO technically has a bigger battery, but Honor’s new silicon-carbon cell makes up the difference with better efficiency.
Stylus & Connectivity
Here’s where Honor pulls ahead: stylus support on both screens. That’s right — you can use the Magic Pen on the cover and the inner display, and it’s great for note-taking or even thumbnail artwork (yes, I’ve made a few that way). The VIVO doesn’t have stylus support at all.
In my Wi-Fi speed test, the Honor Magic V5 hit 444 Mbps down and 8.3 Mbps up — basically maxing out my home internet plan. The VIVO X Fold 5 came close at 340 down and 9 up, but the edge went to Honor. However, on cellular, VIVO flipped the results — its signal speeds were almost triple Honor’s. So Wi-Fi lovers will lean Honor, while road warriors might prefer VIVO.
Now, about carrier compatibility — I called AT&T and Verizon, and both told me these devices weren’t officially supported. Yet dozens of users in my comments say they’re using both phones just fine. So your mileage may vary, but the reality is — they do work on U.S. networks.
Software Experience & Widgets
Both phones let you multitask beautifully, but they do it differently.
Honor uses a swipe-from-side gesture to open split-screen apps, while VIVO uses a three-finger swipe up. On Honor, you can go wild — even run three full-size apps simultaneously. Add “Workbench” mode, and you can technically juggle four. Perfect for research, notes, or — in my case — running Bible study tools side by side.
VIVO’s widget system is elegant, with interactive “stackable” cards for things like recorder, notes, and earbuds — though you’re limited to the pre-installed apps in the Chinese version. Honor’s widget options are more limited overall, but at least you get access to Google’s official widgets from the Play Store.
Camera Showdown
Time for the fun part — cameras.
Both devices deliver flagship-quality photos, but they take different approaches.
The Honor Magic V5 tends to produce brighter, more colorful shots — perfect for sharing right out of the camera. The VIVO X Fold 5, with its Zeiss optics, gives a more natural and cinematic tone.
At night, the story flips. Honor’s dedicated night mode keeps images clean and well-lit, while VIVO relies purely on its lens tuning — which can make shots look softer, though sometimes more realistic. I’ll say this: Honor wins for consistency, but VIVO’s camera feels more “pro” when lighting is good.
Zoom? Honor takes a slight lead up to 20x, but VIVO pulls ahead at extreme zoom (50x and beyond) with sharper details.
Portrait mode? Easy — VIVO wins. Its bokeh looks natural, while Honor’s portrait mode doesn’t always blur the background properly.
Macro photography is a toss-up — Honor captures great detail, but VIVO’s colors pop more.
Performance & Video Editing
Here’s where specs meet sweat. Both have top-tier chips — Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs 8 Elite — but the real-world difference is minimal. To test this, I edited and exported the same 4K video on both using PowerDirector.
To my surprise, VIVO initially exported faster — until thermal throttling kicked in. Then Honor’s Elite chip surged ahead, finishing just seconds faster. So while they’re nearly neck-and-neck, Honor Magic V5 ultimately wins in long, sustained performance.
Final Thoughts: Which One Do I Prefer?
Both are incredible foldables — and either could be your daily driver — but for me, the Honor Magic V5 edges out the win. It’s wider, easier to use, has stylus support, faster Wi-Fi, and a slightly better balance between camera brightness and consistency.
The VIVO X Fold 5, however, still shines with its Zeiss camera tuning, build quality, and great signal strength. If you prefer a slimmer feel and more natural photography, VIVO might be your pick.
But for everyday usability, the Honor Magic V5 is the foldable that keeps winning me over.
Would you pick width and stylus, or slim design and Zeiss lenses?
Join the discussion — I want to hear what you’d choose between these two powerhouses.