Author: Mark Shephard

Apple just wrapped its latest event, and the iPhone 17 lineup is here. After months of rumors and leaks, we now have the standard iPhone 17, the sleek but controversial iPhone 17 Air, and the powerhouse iPhone 17 Pro. Instead of making AI the star, Apple doubled down on hardware this year—and the result is a set of phones that feel like a big leap forward for everyday users.

The Standard iPhone 17 Gets Serious      

Apple often saves its biggest tricks for the Pro models, but this year the base iPhone 17 got the glow-up. Cameras first: last year’s 48 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide combo has been replaced with dual 48 MP shooters, including an ultrawide that uses a clever 12 MP crop for true optical-quality zoom. Combined with Apple’s 24 MP pixel-binning, images look brighter, sharper, and more natural—especially in low light.

The selfie camera also got smarter with Apple’s new “Center Stage” mode. It automatically widens the frame and tracks subjects, which is perfect for group selfies or FaceTime. I only wish Apple had extended that feature to the rear cameras for more flexible video shooting.

On the display side, Apple finally ditched 60 Hz for 120 Hz ProMotion on the standard iPhone. Scrolling feels buttery smooth, animations are cleaner, and the adaptive refresh rate should help save battery. Speaking of battery: the standard iPhone 17 packs a larger cell thanks to a bigger 6.3-inch screen (up from 6.1″ last year). Pair that with the new A19 chip, which Apple claims is 20% faster and more efficient, and this might be the best battery life ever in a non-Pro iPhone.

The Thinner, Riskier iPhone 17 Air  

Apple’s boldest new product is the iPhone 17 Air—a super-slim phone that feels more like a design experiment than a must-have. Its single “Dual Fusion” camera pulls double duty as both wide and ultrawide, and it runs the same A19 Pro chip found in higher models. But with its thin frame, the Air is heavily throttled to manage heat, just like Samsung’s S25 Edge.

In short, it looks slick and feels futuristic, but the compromises are real: fewer cameras, less power under heavy load, and questionable battery life. I suspect the Air will end up being a niche model—eye candy for the shelf, but not the workhorse most users need.

The iPhone 17 Pro: Apple’s True Flagship  

The Pro is where Apple flexed its engineering. The back panel now extends across the entire camera array in a two-tone design that recalls old-school Pixels, but with a purpose: more room for battery, cooling, and bigger camera hardware. The periscope zoom is gone, replaced with a 48 MP 4x telephoto that delivers higher-quality zoom shots thanks to the extra resolution.

Inside, the A19 Pro chip promises to run cooler and throttle less, thanks to that new thermal design. Apple even tucked the chip partially into the camera module space to maximize efficiency. Add in Ceramic Shield 2 (front and back), 3000-nit anti-reflective displays, and you’ve got a phone built for durability as much as performance.

My First Impressions

So where do I land after Apple’s big event?

The standard iPhone 17 is the sleeper hit: bigger screen, better cameras, ProMotion, and stronger battery life. It’s the first time in years I’d recommend the base model without hesitation.

The iPhone 17 Air is interesting but feels like a gimmick—beautifully thin, but too compromised for real users.

The iPhone 17 Pro is the enthusiast’s choice, with smarter design, better cooling, and pro-level cameras.

I’ll reserve final judgment until I get them in hand and compare them against rivals like the Pixel 10 Pro and Samsung S25 Ultra, but one thing is clear: Apple’s focus on hardware this year has made the iPhone 17 lineup the strongest upgrade path in years.

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 Which model are you most excited about—the standard, the Air, or the Pro?

Update & Corrections:
In this video I missed a couple things about the Vivo X Fold 5 and Honor Magic V5.

• For night shots, the Vivo does have a Landscape & Night mode that I overlooked. I’ve retaken comparison photos and posted them below.
• For portraits, I said the Honor Magic V5 didn’t handle bokeh well—but I’ve been respectfully informed that I can adjust the bokeh to my liking before shooting. I used the default setting in the video which is set with no bokeh. I found that adjusting the f-stop setting at f/2.8, it actually matches the Vivo beautifully.

Thanks to the viewers who pointed this out—your feedback makes these reviews better and helps me to learn with you!

Two ultra-thin, book-style foldables. Two very different personalities. I’ve been living with the Honor Magic V5 and the Vivo X Fold 5 long enough to run them through my everyday routines—emails, editing, photos, maps, church notes, and a few too many speed tests. Here’s the head-to-head you’ve been asking for.

Design & in-hand feel

At a glance, the Vivo is taller and narrower; the Honor is shorter and wider. Spec sheets say 6.5″ vs 6.4″ outer screens, but the Honor’s extra width makes typing easier and icons larger—great for not-so-dainty thumbs. Both chassis are razor thin (Honor listed at 9.0 mm, Vivo 9.2 mm folded). A quick “bubble level” test on a flat desk put their bodies essentially even; the difference shows up at the camera bump, where the Honor’s module is noticeably taller.

Button placement is similar (volume + side fingerprint), but Vivo adds a programmable extra key. I set it to mute, though you can map it to other shortcuts. Unlocking feels instant on both.

One preference note: the Honor lets you separate your lock-screen wallpaper from your home screen. On my China ROM Vivo, the lock screen mirrors the home screen and I couldn’t change that. (If you’ve got a trick on the global ROM, drop it in the comments.)

Specs snapshot

• Honor Magic V5: Snapdragon Elite chip, 16GB RAM, up to 5820 mAh battery, MagicOS on Android 15, stylus support on outer and inner displays.
• Vivo X Fold 5: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16GB RAM, 6000 mAh battery, OriginOS on Android 15.

Yes, the Vivo battery is larger on paper; more on real-world behavior below.

Displays, brightness & reflections

Outdoors, both panels get very bright and remain readable. The Honor’s anti-reflective inner screen helps a lot under harsh light; the Vivo fights reflections more but counters with luminance. Either way, you can use both outside without squinting yourself into a headache.

Stylus: one clear winner

Only the Honor supports a pen—and it works on both screens. I’ve been sketching thumbnails, annotating screenshots, and tapping tiny UI elements without mis-presses. If you need a pen on a book-style foldable, this is the one.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi vs. Cellular

On my home Wi-Fi (rated ~400 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up), the Honor consistently hit ~440 Mbps down, while the Vivo trailed in the ~340 Mbps range. Upload was a wash (Honor ~8–9 Mbps; Vivo slightly higher). On cellular, the Vivo routinely delivered much faster download and upload speeds than the Honor in the same spot. Antenna tuning clearly differs.

Carrier note for U.S. readers: Verizon/AT&T IMEI checks said “not compatible,” yet many of you report daily use on those networks. Your mileage may vary; when in doubt, test with a spare SIM or an eSIM trial.

Software & widgets

Both ship with modern Android and their skins, and both feel smooth. Two behavioral differences stood out:

• Multitasking, Honor style: drag from the edge to split screen, stack up to three apps side-by-side, and flip any pane to 90/10 focus with a tap. You can also do top/bottom splits and make all three panes full with quick toggles. It’s powerful and predictable.
• Multitasking, Vivo style: traditional dual-pane split plus floating windows, and a very cool Workbench that lays out four apps at once for rapid switching. It’s excellent for study or research (I used it during sermon prep to bounce between two Bibles, a notes app, and a browser).

Widgets are better on Samsung than either of these, but Vivo’s stackable native widgets (battery, recorder, device controls) are fun—just note you’re limited mostly to Vivo’s own cards on the China ROM. Honor has “cards” too, but options are thinner than I’d like.

Performance & heat

Synthetic tests were neck-and-neck overall, with the Honor often a hair ahead. The real test is video work:

• Import/conform for editing in PowerDirector: Honor finished roughly twice as fast prepping files for the timeline.
• 4K export of a ~2.5-minute project: it was a race. The Vivo actually led early, then throttled, and the Honor pulled ahead to finish first by a modest margin.

In daily use, both feel flagship-snappy. Under sustained load, Honor tends to keep its foot down longer; Vivo stays a bit cooler at the touch.

Cameras: day, night, zoom & portraits

I shot everything point-and-shoot, default settings unless noted.

• Selfie video: close call. Honor renders brighter and crisper; Vivo looks a touch softer and arguably more flattering.
• Daylight wide/standard: Honor leans brighter, punchier, and often more “true blue” skies. Vivo is slightly more restrained and sometimes shows a faint purple cast in sky gradients.
• 10x–20x zoom: both are good at 10x. At 20x and beyond, Vivo often edges ahead in fine texture (tree needles, brick lines), while Honor sometimes uses AI correction to keep roof lines and edges straighter.
• 50x zoom: Vivo usually looks cleaner on micro-detail; Honor can show a bit more processing.
• Night shots: Here the tables turn. Honor’s dedicated night mode brings brighter, cleaner results and handles backlit signs and high-contrast scenes better. Vivo’s Zeiss tuning is natural and bright, but strong light sources can starburst and clip. * Update, Vivo has a Landscape & Night setting that I didn’t notice until after shooting. Updated photos will be placed on the Photo Gallery for your viewing comparison.
• Portraits: Vivo wins. The Honor frequently forgets the bokeh (or applies too little), while Vivo separates subject/background more convincingly—even if it sometimes nibbles ears on tricky edges. *Update, Honor has a bokeh adjustment I missed during testing. You can adjust the depth of field, and it works perfectly. Again, look for updated photos in the Photo Gallery.
• Macro: both impress; Vivo takes a slight clarity lead on tiny textures and dewdrops, while Honor’s background blur looks lovely.

Net: If your life is night scenes and mixed lighting, Honor is more consistent; if you’re a daylight long-zoom chaser, Vivo has the edge. For portraits, Vivo again.

Battery life

Paper says 6000 mAh (Vivo) vs 5820 mAh (Honor). In practice, both comfortably last a full day of mixed use. The Honor’s combo of battery, chip, and tuning gave me the more predictable, “don’t-think-about-it” endurance; the Vivo’s larger pack helps, and it tends to run cooler in sustained tasks.

The verdict: which folds into your life?

Both are excellent, but they aim at slightly different users:

Choose the Honor Magic V5 if you:

• Want a wider outer screen for easier typing and bigger UI.
• Care about stylus input on both displays.
• Shoot lots of night photos and backlit scenes.
• Prefer robust, simple three-pane multitasking.

Choose the Vivo X Fold 5 if you:

• Like a taller device that feels extra sleek in the hand.
• Live in apps where long-zoom detail matters.
• Want vivo’s Workbench for multi-app study/research flows.
• Prioritize cooler touch temps and snappy cellular speeds.

My daily pick

I do find myself reaching for one of these more often—mostly because its wider outer screen, bigger touch targets, pen-on-both-screens support, and reliable night camera make everyday stuff feel easier. But the other brings killer long-zoom detail, a slick Workbench, and cooler temps that are hard to ignore. Which one actually wins my pocket? Watch the full video to see.

The Apple vs. Google rivalry is nothing new. From Macs vs. PCs, to Samsung mocking Apple’s notches, to Google’s cheeky Pixel ads in movie theaters—it’s been decades of playful jabs. But now, with the Pixel 10 Pro stepping up its AI photography game, the question is obvious: can Google finally take the crown from Apple in one of the iPhone’s strongest categories—cameras?

I hit the disc golf course (one of my favorite testing grounds) with the Pixel 10 Pro in one pocket and the iPhone 16 Pro in the other. Same lighting, same subjects, same “point-and-shoot” approach. Here’s what I found.

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Video: Smooth Operators

Both phones handled video surprisingly well. Transitioning from shade into bright sunlight? Smooth. Jogging along a fairway (yes, as much as I can jog)? Rock steady. The wobble we used to see in older Pixel models is gone, and while the iPhone occasionally showed more lens flare, the Pixel sometimes caught it too. In short: both delivered pro-level video stabilization, with the Pixel closing the gap more than ever.

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Photos: Where the Pixel Shows Its Teeth

Here’s where things got interesting.

• 5x Zoom Test – Both phones have dedicated 5x lenses, but the Pixel 10 Pro pulled ahead with AI enhancement. The bark on trees, pine needles, even the disc golfer’s frisbee mid-flight were crisper and more detailed on Pixel.
• 10x Zoom Test – Once again, Pixel’s AI sharpening kept details alive in the shadows and in graffiti textures, while the iPhone softened edges more quickly.
• 30x vs 100x Zoom – Apple caps at 30x, while Google’s AI-assisted 100x zoom is, well… a mixed bag. It’s fun, and sometimes impressive, but not always “usable.” Still, side-by-side at 30x, Pixel looked just a touch sharper.
• Standard Shots – This is where personal preference comes in. The iPhone produced warmer, slightly yellow-leaning tones, while the Pixel leaned toward natural blues and greens. On grass, skies, and shaded areas, I preferred the Pixel’s more neutral balance.

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Low Light & Motion

Dynamic range was once Apple’s Achilles heel—think blown-out windows in indoor shots. Not anymore. The iPhone 16 handled challenging light shifts well. But again, the Pixel squeezed out more detail in shadows and maintained better balance in high-contrast areas.

As for motion? I captured a disc golfer mid-throw. Both phones froze the moment beautifully, but the Pixel showed a touch more natural blur, which oddly felt more lifelike. The iPhone’s version looked sharper but slightly artificial.

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Selfies & Front Cameras

Not my favorite test (I don’t love seeing myself in selfie mode), but both phones did well. The Pixel gave me flexibility to adjust between wider and closer framing, while the iPhone was locked in. Color balance looked nearly identical.

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Final Thoughts

Apple still brings its trademark consistency—photos that are reliable, warm, and “ready to share.” But the Pixel 10 Pro’s AI enhancements are no gimmick. From crisper zoom to richer detail in shadows, it’s closing in hard on Apple’s long-standing lead.

So, is the Pixel finally king of smartphone cameras? I’d say the gap has never been closer. For me, the Pixel 10 Pro edges out the iPhone 16 Pro in photography this year—though Apple’s video and color accuracy still hold their ground. The real showdown will come when the iPhone 17 drops. Will Apple add AI smarts to their photography pipeline, or will Google hold the advantage? Stay tuned—I’ll be back with that battle soon.

Unboxing the Pixel 10 Pro felt a little like déjà vu. Peel back the wrapping and—yep—it’s basically staring at a Pixel 9 Pro in a different outfit. The design? Nearly identical. Buttons, antenna bands, camera bar… all in the same spots. Even the weight difference is barely noticeable: 202g for the Pixel 9 Pro and 207g for the Pixel 10 Pro. That extra 5g? Likely the slightly larger battery tucked inside. Not exactly the “wow” moment you’d expect for a 10th-generation flagship.

The real kicker here is the trade-in math. Google offered me $550 for my Pixel 9 Pro, leaving me another $550 out of pocket for a phone that looks—and feels—almost the same. It begs the question: do you really want to spend over five hundred bucks just to keep pace with Google’s naming convention? Especially when Samsung is still tossing around $900–$1000 trade-ins for older Fold models?

Now, don’t get me wrong. There are some differences. The Pixel 10 Pro runs on the new Tensor G5 chip, and early benchmarks show it outpacing the Tensor G4 in both single-core and multi-core scores. Is it blazing fast compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Apple’s A17 Pro? Not really. But it’s a respectable bump for Pixel owners who push their phones hard. The brighter screen is another subtle win—you’ll notice it outdoors, even though reflections are still an issue on both models. You’ll want an anti-reflective screen protector if you’re outside often.

Where things actually get exciting is with Google’s new ProRes Zoom. This software trick lets the Pixel 10 Pro use AI to clean up high-zoom photos, and it works surprisingly well. I tried it on a backyard turtle (yes, my test subject was a turtle), snapping shots at 50x zoom. The before-and-after was impressive—the AI polished edges, boosted colors, and delivered results you’d never expect from such a crazy crop. For casual shooters, it’s like having a pocket telescope that doesn’t completely butcher your photos. Checkout the Photo Gallery to see all the images.

But here’s the frustration: this feels like a software feature Google could have brought to the Pixel 9 Pro. They promised “enhanced zoom” last year and never delivered. Now they’re dangling it behind the Pixel 10 Pro’s paywall. If the hardware’s basically the same, why lock features away? That stings for anyone who dropped top dollar on a Pixel 9 Pro just twelve months ago.

So where do I land? Honestly, I’m torn. The Pixel 10 Pro is a good phone—it’s just not the milestone device the “10th anniversary” Pixel should have been. If you own a Pixel 9 Pro, the upgrade barely makes sense unless you’re desperate for the new zoom tricks or need to compare it head-to-head with Apple’s latest iPhones. If you’re on an older Pixel or want Google’s clean Android experience with some genuinely useful AI perks, the 10 Pro is the better buy.

But if you’re like me—watching Google charge $550 just to repackage last year’s design while other brands push hardware leaps—it might feel more like a hold-off year than a “must-upgrade.”

Short version: both are premium, both are fast, but they don’t win in the same ways. After a deeper dive into design, software, multitasking, performance, cameras, and battery, I’ve got a clear favorite—and a few surprises along the way.

Design, Feel, and Everyday Ergonomics

On the desk, both look flagship. In the hand, the differences show up fast:

• Edges & comfort: Magic V5’s softly chamfered sides feel gentler than the Fold 7’s sharper, boxier rails. If you text or note for hours, you’ll notice.
• Speakers: Samsung places both speakers on the same long edge; it’s easy to block them in landscape gaming. Honor splits speakers on opposite sides, so you’re less likely to muffle both at once.
• Hinge: Samsung’s hinge is sturdier in “hover” positions; it’ll hold angles the Honor sometimes won’t.
• Thickness: Folded, the gap is tiny (Fold 7 ~8.9 mm; V5 ~9.0 mm), but the V5’s camera bump is noticeably thicker.
• Fingerprint reader: Honor’s slightly raised side button unlocks on touch; Samsung’s needs a firm press. Small thing, big quality-of-life gain.

Software & Customization (Out of the Box)

• Builds: Fold 7 ships with One UI 8 on Android 16. Magic V5 runs MagicOS 9 on Android 15 (update expected).
• Home customization: Both do large folders and widgets (Honor calls them Cards). MagicOS lets you freely resize large folders; Samsung’s are fixed sizes unless you dive into Good Lock modules.
• Fun touches: MagicOS offers baked-in page transition effects (I’m partial to the 3D “Box” flip). Samsung can match or beat this with Good Lock—but that means extra installs and tinkering.
• Consistency: Front/inner layouts can be separate on Samsung. Honor mirrors them by default (I actually prefer that).

Multitasking: Where the V5 Pulls Ahead

All three-pane multitasking isn’t created equal.

• Two-app split: Easy on both.
• Three apps at once:
  • Honor Magic V5: Drag a third app to the side and you get a clean three-column layout. Tap to “promote” any column to full width, then bounce between them—fast and predictable.
• Galaxy Z Fold 7: It can do tri-pane, but the method is fussy (a 90/10 split plus a side drag, sometimes buried behind a tiny “Edit” step). It works, but feels inconsistent and far less discoverable.

If your day is browser + docs + chat, the V5’s tri-pane workflow is simply better.

Displays & Brightness

Honor touts “5000-nit peak”—that’s for HDR highlights. In real outdoor use, both are very viewable; sometimes the Fold 7 even looks brighter. What clearly helps the Honor: an anti-reflective inner screen that cuts glare and makes content pop in bright environments.

Performance & Thermal Behavior

Both use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite (on these units).

• Synthetic tests: Near a tie. Honor typically edges the Fold by a hair in single/multi-core and sustained runs; Samsung often runs a bit cooler.
• Creator test (PowerDirector):
  • Clip reformat: V5 finished first (by a few seconds).
  • Auto-subtitles: Fold 7 won by ~4 seconds.
  • 4K export: Honor Magic V5 pulled over a minute ahead, suggesting the Fold 7 throttles harder under long, heavy load.

Bottom line: both are snappy, but if you do long exports (or other sustained heavy work), the V5 feels more relentless.

Cameras: Spec Sheets vs. Shots

• Main take: If you don’t manually switch the Fold 7 to 50MP/200MP modes, its 12MP ultrawide and 10.8MP 3x can’t consistently hang with Honor’s 50MP main/ultrawide and 64MP zoom in point-and-shoot comparisons.
• Daylight: Honor tends to deliver punchier color and better fine detail at medium zoom.
• Telephoto: At 10x and beyond, the V5 generally keeps things cleaner and less blotchy.
• Night: Mixed. Fold often looks truer to the scene; Honor can push color brighter. Portrait mode at night favored Samsung in my samples (cleaner subject separation).
• Video: Samsung looks a touch sharper and more saturated; Honor leans richer for photos.

If you just shoot auto and zoom a lot, the V5 feels more forgiving. Power users can wring more from Samsung by forcing high-res modes—but those files get big.

Stylus, Battery, and Odds & Ends

• Stylus: Honor supports a Bluetooth stylus on both outer and inner screens (great for notes/sketches). No remote shutter function found. Fold 7’s inner screen stylus story remains… complicated.
• Battery: Anecdotally, the V5’s larger pack (shown as ~5820 mAh) is a beast. I’m regularly getting two days with moderate-to-heavy use. Fold 7’s 4400 mAh is fine, but not on this level.
• Connectivity (US): Honor’s carrier support is limited; T-Mobile and MVNOs work. Verizon/AT&T said no to my IMEIs. Samsung, of course, is broadly supported with warranty/service to match.

Verdict: Which One Would I Carry?

If you live where Honor service is thin and carrier support matters, Samsung is the safe bet—and One UI’s ecosystem and AI suite are excellent. But judged purely as a daily driver for comfort, tri-pane multitasking, stylus flexibility, long 4K exports, and battery endurance, the Honor Magic V5 is the better tool for how I actually work.

I still want Samsung to bring higher-res secondary sensors and fix tri-pane multitasking consistency. Until then, the V5 feels like the more modern, creator-friendly foldable—so it’s the one I reach for first.

Last time I unboxed the Honor Magic V5 and gave you my first impressions. This time, I’m diving deeper. We’re moving past looks and thickness and getting into the real meat of the phone — its software, multitasking, cameras, and how it compares with today’s best foldables: the Samsung Z Fold 7, Vivo X Fold 5, OnePlus Open, and even the Honor Magic V3.

And let me tell you — this round of testing brought some surprises.

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Brightness & Reflection: Don’t Believe the Numbers

On paper, the Honor Magic V5 boasts a massive 5,000 nits of brightness on the external screen. Sounds unbeatable, right? So, I lined it up outdoors next to the Z Fold 7, Vivo X Fold 5, and the Magic V3. Guess what? They all looked pretty much the same. So you can’s always believe the SPECS.

But here’s where Honor earns points — the anti-reflective coating on the inner display. While the others bounced light like mirrors, the V5 stayed darker, cleaner, and easier to see. Lesson learned: sometimes spec sheets don’t tell the full story.

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Multitasking Showdown: Honor Steps It Up

One of the biggest reasons people buy foldables is multitasking, so I tested them all side by side.

• Z Fold 7: Still requires gestures and sidebars, but you’re limited to two apps plus a floater. Yes, you can split a third app on half the screen, but is it really usable?
• Vivo X Fold 5: Great “workbench mode” with up to five small windows, but it never feels like true full-screen multitasking.
• Honor Magic V5: This is where it shines. The V5 lets you run three full apps side-by-side, each of which can be tapped into full screen instantly. It’s smooth, intuitive, and very reminiscent of the OnePlus Open’s multitasking — but executed even better.

That alone makes the V5 a serious productivity tool.

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Stylus Support: Honor’s Secret Weapon

Here’s something Samsung fans will want to hear: unlike the Z Fold 7, the Honor Magic V5 supports an S-Pen-style stylus on both the outer and inner screens. It feels natural, responsive, and it’s a huge plus for note-takers, editors, or anyone who sketches on the go. None of the other foldables in this lineup offer that.

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Camera Tests: Specs vs Reality

On paper, the V5 looks stacked: a 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP telephoto. Samsung flexes with a 200MP main sensor, while Vivo goes with 50MP across the board.

Here’s what I found in real shooting:

• Z Fold 7: Unless you force 200MP mode, photos often come out soft because of heavy pixel-binning.
• Vivo X Fold 5: Surprisingly crisp results, especially at higher zoom. Its telephoto lens is sharp and consistent.
• Honor Magic V5: Daylight shots are colorful and clean, but I noticed some overexposure and processing quirks at times. In zoom comparisons, the V5 often held its own — and sometimes beat Samsung — but Vivo consistently edged it out at the very high zoom levels.

The good news? Honor’s anti-reflective screen makes shooting and previewing photos much easier in harsh light.

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Battery Life & Performance

I’ll save the full drain test for another video, but so far, the V5’s battery life is the best of the bunch in my daily work use. And with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite under the hood, performance is on par with the Z Fold 7. For day-to-day apps, you won’t notice a difference.

Carrier support in the U.S. is still limited to T-Mobile and its MVNO partners, so Verizon and AT&T users are out of luck. But internationally, coverage may vary.

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Final Thoughts: A Foldable to Watch

The Honor Magic V5 proves it’s not just about slim design — the software experience, multitasking flexibility, stylus support, and battery life all raise the bar for what a foldable can do. Its cameras are good (though not flawless), and its real-world usability feels like it’s pushing the foldable space forward in meaningful ways.

Is it perfect? No. But if Samsung doesn’t keep innovating, phones like the V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 might just steal the spotlight.

Stay tuned, because I’ll be doing full one-on-one comparisons with every foldable on my desk — and that’s when we’ll see exactly where the V5 lands in the rankings.

Google just pulled the curtain back on the Pixel 10 series, and after watching the reveal, I’ve got mixed feelings. On paper, this should feel like a milestone — ten generations of Pixels! But once you peel back the hype, the question is: is there really enough here to justify dropping another $1,000+ if you already own a Pixel 9 Pro or a Fold? Let’s dig in.

Design Déjà Vu

If you were hoping for a fresh new look, you’re out of luck. The Pixel 10 lineup keeps the same style and design we saw last year with the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. They’re practically twins — hard to tell apart unless you squint.

The only real change comes in the base Pixel 10 model, which is finally getting a third rear camera. And not just any lens — Google is handing down the same 3x 10MP telephoto zoom that the Fold had last year. That’s a nice step up, but it also blurs the line between “Pro” and “non-Pro.” At this point, you have to wonder: what does “Pro” even mean anymore in Google’s world?

What’s New Under the Hood

The most meaningful update is the new Tensor G5 chip. Along with it, the Pro models pick up a slight battery boost, which should help balance efficiency with extra performance. Charging also gets a tiny bump — 30W wired (up from 27W) and 25W wireless on the XL Pro. And yes, Google finally added its answer to Apple’s MagSafe: Pixel Snap, a magnetic puck system for wireless charging and accessories.

But here’s the rub: it’s still capped at 15W on most models. That’s hardly game-changing. And since you can already buy MagSafe-compatible cases that work with existing Pixels, I don’t see this as a strong reason to upgrade.

The AI Promises (Again)

Google leaned heavily on AI in its announcement — just like last year. Smarter assistants, automatic reservations, real-world task help, the works. And while it all sounds amazing, here’s the problem: we’ve been hearing these promises for two years, and half the features still haven’t shown up. It feels more like déjà vu than innovation.

The Harsh Reality of Pricing

Now here’s where things get sticky. Google is offering just $760 trade-in credit for a Pixel 9 Pro Fold toward the Pixel 10. That means you’re shelling out another $1,000 just to get into a phone that feels… nearly identical. Even upgrading a Pixel 9 Pro sets you back around $500, and that’s just to keep pace.

Contrast that with Samsung: the Z Fold 7 launched with much better trade-in values — $1,000 for a Fold 6, $900 for a Fold 5, and even $800 for a Fold 4. That’s a huge difference and makes Samsung’s upgrade path a lot more tempting.

My Verdict: Passing on Pixel 10

For me, the math just doesn’t add up. Not enough hardware changes, recycled software promises, and a weak trade-in program make this an easy “skip year.” If you’re still rocking a Pixel 7 or the first Fold, maybe there’s a case to upgrade. But if you’ve got a Pixel 9, I’d say wait it out — you’ll only lose about $50 in trade-in value by skipping this round.

Meanwhile, competitors like Honor’s Magic V5 and Samsung’s Z Fold 7 are pushing the envelope with real improvements and better deals. Google, on the other hand, feels like they phoned it in this year.

So I’m holding off. What about you? Is the Pixel 10 series enough to win your upgrade dollars, or are you skipping too? Let me know — and if you’re curious about the Z Fold 7, I’ve got a full breakdown waiting for you.

by Mark Shephard

Foldable fans, it’s finally here — I just unboxed the brand-new Honor Magic V5, and if first impressions mean anything, Samsung and Vivo may want to start sweating.

This is not a full review yet. Think of this as a hands-on first-look — feel, build, design tweaks, and how it stacks up physically against the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Honor Magic V3, and yes… even the Vivo X Fold 5.

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Unboxing – Honor Still Gives You the Kitchen Sink

Unlike Samsung (who now gives you little more than a cable and a wink), Honor continues to ship a premium unboxing experience — including:

• 66W fast-charging power brick
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• SIM tool, documentation
• Matching kickstand protective case (gold, in my model)

It’s honestly refreshing to get accessories in the box in 2025.

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First Look – The Gold V5 is Gorgeous… and Thin

Sliding the phone out of its wrapper, two things hit me instantly:

1. This gold finish looks stunning in-hand
2. It’s shockingly thin and light

Honor claims 8.9 mm folded (global version). It feels even slimmer thanks to its more curved edges compared to the boxier Z Fold 7. When placed next to:

Phone	Folded Thickness	First-Look Feel
Z Fold 7	~8.9 mm	Slightly thinner on paper, boxy
Magic V5 (global)	~9.0 mm	Feels slimmer in-hand due to curves
Magic V3	~9.1 mm	Slightly thicker, heavier
Vivo X Fold 5	~9.2 mm	Noticeably chunkier

I even used my signature “bubble level slide test” — and while not exactly NASA science, it proved the Z Fold still wins on pure measurements… but the Magic V5 genuinely feels thinnest, which matters way more in actual use.

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Anti-Reflective Inside Display = Chef’s Kiss 👌

One unexpected surprise: when placed next to the Z Fold 7, my face practically reflected off Samsung’s inner screen — but the V5 appeared matte, thanks to Honor’s new anti-reflective inner screen coating.

• Inner display on V5 → practically no glare
• Outer screen → still glossy (similar to others)

Samsung – take notes.

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Hardware Tweaks I Noticed Immediately

• Volume rocker placement changed – now on the same side as the power button (unlike the V3). I actually prefer the old V3 layout for on-desk use with the kickstand… may take getting used to.
• Camera bump redesigned – bigger than the V3’s module, thinner than Vivo’s.
• Feels slightly lighter than my V3 — though Honor hasn’t published exact global weight yet (~217 g rumored).

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So… First-Impression Verdict?

The Magic V5 instantly feels like the most polished and premium foldable Honor has ever made. Whether it beats the Vivo X Fold 5 in cameras — or the Z Fold 7 in performance — is what I’ll be testing next.

But on pure in-hand feel, thinness, and design refinement, it’s already giving Samsung and Vivo a serious run for their money.

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What’s Next?

This was just the appetizer. Coming up next on the channel:

• V5 vs V3 vs Z Fold 7 – SPEED TEST
• V5 vs Vivo X Fold 5 – CAMERA BATTLE
• MagicOS 8.0 – What changed from the V3?

👉 Tell me in the comments below exactly which comparison YOU want to see first:
Magic V5 vs Pixel Fold 9 Pro?
Battery drain test?
Low-light camera sample battle?

Your request = my next video.
Until next time — thank you for reading, God bless, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next showdown!

By Mark Shephard

If you thought the foldable race was slowing down in 2025… Honor just sucker-punched that idea into next week. At their global launch event — complete with AI demos, world-record attempts, and a little Guinness-certified flexing — Honor officially unveiled the Magic V5, and trust me… this thing is not messing around.

Here’s everything you need to know (and why Samsung and Apple should probably be watching this one closely).

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So What Is the Magic V5?

The Honor Magic V5 is Honor’s all-new flagship foldable designed around three bold claims:

“Smarter. Slimmer. Stronger.”

And they have the numbers (and world records) to back it up:

• 8.8 mm thin (when folded — making it one of the thinnest foldables globally)
• 5,820 mAh battery — the largest battery ever in a foldable phone
• Snapdragon 8 Elite chip powering next-gen AI across the device
• Durability certified by Guinness World Records — it literally lifted 104 kg (229 lbs) while suspended by its hinge!

Yep… they hung a man’s entire gym set from the hinge on stage just to prove how strong their aerospace-grade fiber and “Super Steel” hinge really are. Guinness handed them a certificate.

That’s what you call a flex.

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AI Everywhere (Gemini Built-In)

Honor is doubling-down on on-device AI, partnering heavily with Google Gemini to turn the Magic V5 into a powerful chatbot assistant built directly into the phone — no browser required.

AI features demoed live included:

• AI Summary – highlight text → get instant summaries (great for news/articles)
• AI Subtitle Translation – live translate foreign-language videos on YouTube/TikTok
• Gemini Live – point your camera at products and ask, “Which coffee machine is better?”
• Magic Sidebar AI Suggestions – surfaces smart tools based on your current task
• Tap-to-launch Gemini – double-tap the back of the phone to wake Gemini instantly
• AI Deepfake Detection for safer video calls

Honor wants you to think of it less as a phone… and more as a pocket assistant.

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Cameras: No Compromise Foldable

Honor came out swinging on optics too, promising a periscope zoom camera with AI Super Zoom up to 100×, pro-level macro shots, and low-light imaging that doesn’t fall apart. They’ve explicitly stated no compromises: no giving up telephoto, no cutting pen support, no skipping wireless charging — just to shave a millimeter.

Unlike some competitors (cough Samsung Fold 6), both inner and outer displays support the Honor Magic Pen.

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Brightest Displays, Toughest Glass, Longest Life

Key global-launch specs:

Feature	Magic V5 Global Specification
Display brightness	5,000 nits peak (inside & outside)
Glass	Nano-crystal outer glass (3× tougher)
Battery	5,820 mAh, 66 W wired, 50 W wireless
Hinge life	Rated 500,000+ folds
Thickness	8.8 mm (folded), 4.1 mm (unfolded)
Material	Aerospace fiber – 61 % lighter than paper, 2.5× stronger than steel

Oh — and it multitasks like a PC in your pocket, running three apps at once with Gemini floating on top, thanks to that upgraded Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset delivering 45 % more AI horsepower and 27 % better power efficiency than last year’s model.

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Global Pricing & Release

During the event Honor confirmed a starting price of $1799 USD 16GB RAM/512GM storage (Middle East & Africa markets first, EU and Asia to follow) — making it aggressively cheaper than Samsung’s Fold series. Early pre-orders also include VIP perks like screen protection, 65+ local service centers, and accessory bundles.

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My Take?

Honor didn’t just update a phone — they unleashed a statement: foldables should be your main phone, not a niche toy. With record-breaking durability, the biggest battery in the industry, and built-in Gemini AI smarts, the Magic V5 global version is on a war-path to steal mainstream foldable users in 2025.

Samsung… it’s your move.

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