Review-of-the-Honor-Magic-V3-Foldable-smartphone-in-the-UAE
HONOR Magic V3
Summary
The HONOR Magic V3 is a sleek, ultra-thin foldable smartphone with flagship performance, powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, up to 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Featuring a vivid OLED display, advanced camera system, and TÜV Rheinland-certified eye comfort, it balances style and functionality.
Introduction
HONOR is a top contender in the flagship foldable smartphone market. HONOR Middle East launched the HONOR Magic V3 foldable smartphone in the UAE on August 30, 2024. I received a loaned device for review around early October and tested it thoroughly for three weeks.
Packaging
The HONOR Magic V3 arrives in a matte black box with the logo embedded in silver. Inside the box, you’ll find the HONOR Magic V3 in a translucent cover, along with a 66W SuperCharge charger, USB Type-C cable, quick start guide, eject tool, inner and outer screen protective films (pre-installed), warranty card, and PU protective cover.
Specifications
The HONOR Magic V3 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and Adreno 750 GPU. HONOR offers configurations with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. It measures 145.3 x 156.6 x 4.35 mm unfolded and 74.0 x 156.6 x 9.2 mm folded, making it the slimmest foldable smartphone available. The inner display is 7.92 inches with a 9.78:9 aspect ratio and 2344×2156-pixel resolution. The outer display measures 6.43 inches with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 2376×1060-pixel resolution. Both OLED screens offer 1.07 billion colours and a DCI-P3 colour gamut.
Design
The HONOR Magic V3 impresses with a sleek, lightweight design. Its body features 7-series aluminum and a durable center frame, which makes it both strong and lightweight. HONOR’s 2.84mm hinge is the thinnest in the industry, rated for half a million folds. The back panel, made from aerospace-grade fibres, boosts impact resistance by up to 40 times. The phone’s anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield protects the outer display, while a Super Armored Inner Screen film protects the inner display. This foldable device is 9.2mm when folded and feels comfortable and balanced. HONOR’s design includes an edge-to-edge OLED screen with minimal bezel and a punch-hole selfie camera. The back panel houses circular, hexagonally designed cameras that blend well with the protective cover. The phone’s IPX8 rating makes it water- and dust-resistant up to 2.5 meters.
Display
HONOR has equipped the Magic V3 with an Eye Comfort Display, certified by TÜV Rheinland for Flicker-Free and Circadian Friendly viewing. It also includes AI Defocus Display technology that reduces eye strain by simulating defocus in the peripheral visual field. For consumers with short-sightedness, the Magic V3 uses AI algorithms that inhibit eye elongation, reducing the development of myopia. The display automatically adjusts brightness and clarity based on ambient light, offering comfort for extended use.
Camera
The Main Cameras
The HONOR Magic V3 sports a triple camera system on its rear. The main sensor is a 40MP Ultrawide Camera (f/2.2). The second camera is a 50MP Wide Camera (f/1.6, OIS). The third camera is a 50MP Telephoto Lens Camera (f/3.0, OIS).
The main camera can shoot 8192×6144 pixels resolution and can provide 100x digital zoom. You can record 4K (3840×2160 pixels) resolution. With the V3 software, you can shoot selfies images and videos with the main cameras by holding the V3 phone in an unfolded position and changing the choice of camera from the screen.
The main camera comes with a single powerful LED light. It supports AI photography, Super Wide Angle, Aperture, Night, Portrait mode, Photo, Pro mode, Video, Panorama, Filter, Watermark, Scan Document, Super Macro, Capture smiles, Time-lapse, Timer, Movie, Slow-MO, and Story. It also supports supports EIS+OIS.
Colours are accurate and pleasing to the eye, and the camera handles various lighting conditions with aplomb. The camera performed excellently for a foldable smartphone. The ultra-wide camera is capable of capturing expansive scenes with minimal distortion. The third camera, a depth sensor, aids in portrait mode, producing images with a convincing Bokeh effect.
HONOR Defocus Display Technology
The HONOR Magic V3 comes with eye comfort which also has a Defocus option which it helps consumers reduce Eye Strain with AI Defocus Display Technology. Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is a prevalent condition that hampers a person’s ability to see objects at a distance. This pioneering technology uses on-device AI algorithms to simulate the effects of de-focus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) on the display of the HONOR Magic V3. By inducing controlled de-focus in the user’s peripheral visual field, DIMS inhibits the elongation of the eye axial, thereby mitigating the development of myopia.
Similarly, the HONOR AI Defocus display applies a graphics algorithm to replicate the controlled defocus effect while ensuring that the clarity of the display is not affected. Additionally, the defocus display automatically adjusts according to external light sources and application scenarios to provide the best visual experience. I cannot comment on this as I don’t have the short-sightedness and I could not confirm on the same.
The HONOR Magic V3 comes with Hartcourt mode and which you can click very stylish images with different types of modes and with some proper lighting you can actually click very dramatic and stylish photographs. You find it under the portrait mode, you will find HDR Mode and Hartcourt mode in which you have presets like Vibrant, Colour and Classic which is beautiful Black & White. And if you use studio light or understand lighting you can create amazing images. You get a 3072px x 3840px resolution image.
Camera Testing
I tested the camera in diverse conditions, including day, night, and while in motion. The camera captured vibrant colours, performed well in low-light settings, and maintained clarity even with zoom. HONOR’s AI support delivered smooth colour correction, especially with moving subjects. In Movie mode, users can shoot 10-bit LOG videos with 24, 30, or 60 fps, capturing cinematic moments with ease. Modes like Slow-MO, Panorama, and Light Painting further enhance the photography experience.
Selfie Camera
The HONOR Magic V3 includes two 20MP front cameras on the outer and inner screens. These cameras capture sharp, detailed images ideal for social media sharing. They support 2D face recognition, Portrait mode, Night mode, and more. In testing, the cameras adjusted skin tones effectively, enhancing facial features in both indoor and outdoor lighting.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with Adreno 750 which ensures the HONOR Magic V3 is a blazing-fast performer. This is also possible with 12 GB + 12GB HONOR Turbo RAM. Apps open instantly, multitasking is smooth, and demanding games run without a hitch. The phone handles everything you throw at it with ease. Even after prolonged use or intensive gaming sessions, the phone remains cool and comfortable to hold.
The HONOR Magic V3 was benchmark tested on few apps. The device was tested on Geekbench 6: Single-core score – 1301 and Multi-core Score – 4427, GPU OpenCl Score – 13232. Futuremark benchmark: Steel Nomad Light – 1595, Steel Nomad Light Stress Test – Best Loop Score 1359, lowest loop score 1130 and stability 83.2%. PCMark benchmark – Work 3.0 performance score 16510. AI score – 4871. The device scored quite level compared to other brands.
Battery Life
The HONOR Magic V3’s 5150 mAh battery provides reliable all-day usage. Moderate users can expect a full day of power, though gaming and streaming can drain it faster. HONOR includes 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, enabling rapid recharge to keep users connected and ready for the day.
Software
The Magic V3 runs on Magic UI 8.0.1 based on Android 14, offering a clean and customizable experience. HONOR’s UI resembles stock Android but includes added features and minimal bloatware. The interface is smooth, intuitive, and quick, enhancing the device’s usability.
Connectivity
The Magic V3 supports 5G for fast data, Wi-Fi for reliable connectivity, and Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless audio. NFC compatibility allows for mobile payments, and the device also includes wireless charging support.
Price & Availability
Priced at AED 6,899, the HONOR Magic V3 is available at popular UAE retailers like the HONOR Online Store, Emax, Jumbo, and others. It comes in Black, Reddish, and Green and includes free gifts worth AED 2,045, like a Bose speaker and an HONOR Watch 4, adding further value.
Conclusion
The HONOR Magic V3 is an impressive foldable smartphone, blending top-tier performance with a stunning OLED display, an advanced camera system, and an ultra-thin design. Despite its high price, HONOR’s inclusion of valuable accessories boosts its appeal. With 512GB storage, 12GB + 12GB Turbo RAM, and a premium feel, the HONOR Magic V3 is a great choice for anyone seeking a powerful, stylish foldable device.
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