Honor Magic Series Review: The Hidden Gem of Smartphones
The smartphone market is crowded with big names like Apple, Samsung, and Google, but one brand consistently flies under the radar while delivering exceptional devices: Honor. The Honor Magic Series, including models like the Magic 7 Pro and Magic V5, is a prime example of why this brand deserves more attention. With cutting-edge technology, innovative designs, and competitive pricing, the Honor Magic Series is a hidden gem that’s ready to shine. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes these smartphones stand out in 2025.
Premium Design and Build Quality
Honor has mastered the art of crafting smartphones that feel as good as they look. The Honor Magic 7 Pro boasts a sleek, modern design with a flatter OLED LTPO display, moving away from the curved screens of its predecessors for improved usability and durability. At just 77.1mm wide, it’s comfortable to hold, and its IP69 water and dust resistance ensures it can withstand tough environments, from high-pressure water jets to dusty conditions.
The Honor Magic V5, a foldable marvel, takes design to another level. It’s one of the thinnest and lightest foldable phones available, measuring just 8.8mm when folded (for the white version) and weighing only 217g. This makes it barely thicker or heavier than a standard flagship like the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The hinge is robust, tested for 500,000 folds, and the phone features an Anti-Scratch Nano Shield for added durability. The large, centrally placed camera module adds a premium aesthetic, though it does create a noticeable bump.
Stellar Performance
Under the hood, the Honor Magic Series is powered by top-tier hardware. The Magic 7 Pro and Magic V5 both feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, ensuring blazing-fast performance for everything from gaming to multitasking. The Magic V5, in particular, shines in multitasking scenarios, allowing up to four apps to run simultaneously on its 7.95-inch inner OLED display—a feature that makes it a productivity powerhouse. Reviewers have noted that these devices handle demanding tasks without overheating, delivering a smooth experience even during extended use.
The MagicOS 9, based on Android 15, enhances the user experience with intuitive features like the Magic Portal, which allows seamless text and image sharing across apps, and Quick Layout for effortless multitasking on the Magic V5. While some users may find MagicOS less polished than Samsung’s One UI or stock Android, Honor’s commitment to seven years of OS and security updates ensures long-term reliability—a rarity in the Android world.
Exceptional Displays
The Magic Series displays are nothing short of spectacular. The Magic 7 Pro features a 6.8-inch OLED LTPO panel with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and a peak brightness of 5,000 nits, making it vibrant and visible even in direct sunlight. Its color accuracy is top-notch, rivaling the best in the industry.
The Magic V5 takes it a step further with dual displays: a 6.43-inch outer OLED and a 7.95-inch inner folding screen, both with 120Hz refresh rates and 403ppi. The inner screen’s crease is minimal, barely noticeable during use, and Honor’s proprietary eye-friendly display technology reduces strain during extended sessions. Whether you’re watching videos or working on the go, these screens deliver an immersive experience.
Camera Capabilities
Photography is a strong suit for the Honor Magic Series, though it’s not without minor flaws. The Magic 7 Pro sports a triple camera system: a 50MP main lens (f/1.4-2.0), a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 200MP telephoto lens with AI Super Zoom. While the main and telephoto lenses excel in low-light and zoomed shots, the ultra-wide lens can struggle with color consistency, and digital zoom beyond 10x sometimes produces inconsistent results. Still, features like Deepfake Detection and AI-powered editing tools add unique value.
The Magic V5 mirrors this setup with a 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, and 64MP periscope zoom lens. It shines in portrait photography, particularly with the Harcourt Portrait Styles inherited from the Honor 200 Series, offering professional-grade results with a 5:4 aspect ratio. The AI Erase feature is a standout, letting users remove unwanted objects from photos with impressive accuracy. However, the ultra-wide camera can produce slightly unnatural results, and high-zoom shots may lack sharpness.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a highlight across the Magic Series. The Magic 7 Pro comes with a 5,150mAh battery, lasting up to two days with moderate use, and supports 66W fast charging for quick top-ups. The Magic V5 goes even further, squeezing a massive 5,150mAh battery into its slim frame, delivering up to 37 hours of use with heavy tablet-style usage or nearly three days with balanced screen use. Both devices support fast charging, though wireless charging is notably absent on the Magic V5, a minor drawback compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
The Foldable Advantage
The Magic V5 sets itself apart in the foldable market by combining a regular smartphone experience when closed with a tablet-like experience when unfolded. Its 6.43-inch outer screen functions like a standard phone, while the 7.95-inch inner screen is perfect for multitasking, gaming, or media consumption. Features like the kickstand-enabled camera ring and pre-applied screen protectors add practical value. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the Magic V5 offers better value, undercutting their prices while doubling storage at 512GB.
Drawbacks to Consider
No smartphone is perfect, and the Honor Magic Series has a few quirks. The MagicOS software, while feature-rich, can feel less intuitive for users accustomed to stock Android or iOS, with occasional rough edges in the interface. The Magic 7 Pro’s high price may deter budget-conscious buyers, though it’s competitive with other flagships. For the Magic V5, the camera bump can make the folded phone feel bulky, and its lack of official U.S. availability means importing is the only option for American buyers, which may complicate carrier compatibility.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem
The Honor Magic Series stands out for its ability to compete with industry giants while offering unique features and better value. The Magic 7 Pro rivals the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro with its powerful performance, long battery life, and robust software support. The Magic V5 pushes the boundaries of foldable phones, delivering a thin, light, and versatile device that feels like a true alternative to Samsung’s Z Fold series. Honor’s focus on AI, from Deepfake Detection to AI Translate, adds forward-thinking functionality that enhances daily use.
What makes the Magic Series a hidden gem is its blend of premium features, innovative design, and competitive pricing—often undercutting rivals while offering comparable or superior specs. For those outside the U.S., these devices are readily available; for U.S. consumers, importing is worth considering if you’re seeking something different from the usual suspects.
The Honor Magic Series, with standouts like the Magic 7 Pro and Magic V5, proves that Honor is a brand to watch. These smartphones deliver flagship performance, stunning displays, and innovative features without the inflated price tags of some competitors. While software polish and U.S. availability remain challenges, the Magic Series’ combination of cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design makes it a compelling choice for anyone looking to break free from the Apple-Samsung-Google trifecta. If you’re ready to discover a smartphone that punches above its weight, the Honor Magic Series is your hidden gem.
