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.
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.
First Look – The Gold V5 is Gorgeous… and Thin
Sliding the phone out of its wrapper, two things hit me instantly:
- This gold finish looks stunning in-hand
- 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.
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.
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).
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.
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!