Honor Magic V3 Review – A Foldable Leap Forward or Futuristic Flop?

At My Favourite Voucher Codes, we pride ourselves on delivering honest, unbiased product reviews that put your interests first — and that’s exactly what you’ll find here. Our team recently got hands-on with the Honor Magic V3, the latest entry in Honor’s foldable smartphone lineup, and we’ve put it through its paces to give you a clear-eyed look at whether this ultra-slim foldable truly lives up to the hype.

Billed as the world’s thinnest inward-folding smartphone, the Honor Magic V3 is a premium device that combines cutting-edge hardware with an impressively sleek profile. It’s designed to appeal to users who want the productivity of a tablet and the portability of a smartphone — without the usual bulk associated with foldables. But with high-end competition from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, does the Magic V3 offer something unique, or is it just another high-spec experiment?

If you're eyeing this futuristic device, there's good news: Honor currently has a £500 discount available when you use the voucher code AV3AP500. You can find this deal and other savings on our dedicated Honor voucher code page. With this significant saving, the Magic V3 becomes much more accessible — but is it still worth the investment?

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at what this foldable powerhouse has to offer.

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Key Features and Benefits – What Makes the Honor Magic V3 Stand Out?

The Honor Magic V3 doesn’t just follow the foldable trend — it redefines it with a razor-thin silhouette, premium build materials, and a thoughtful suite of high-end specs. If you're weighing your next foldable phone purchase, here’s what makes the Magic V3 such a compelling contender in the current market.

1. Ultra-Slim Foldable Design

At just 9.2mm thick when folded and an astonishing 4.4mm when unfolded, the Magic V3 is officially the slimmest inward-folding phone on the market. This is a serious engineering feat — most competitors still hover well over the 10mm mark when folded. For anyone tired of bulky foldables, this alone is a game changer. It slips easily into a pocket and feels more like a conventional smartphone when closed.

2. Lightweight Build with Premium Materials

Honor’s use of magnesium alloy and aerospace-grade titanium gives the Magic V3 a light but solid feel in the hand. It weighs approximately 231g, making it slightly lighter than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (239g). That difference may seem minor, but it contributes to noticeably better one-handed comfort during extended use.

3. Dual OLED Displays for Seamless Interaction

• Internal Display: 7.92-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz refresh rate

• Cover Display: 6.43-inch OLED, also 120Hz

Both screens offer vibrant colours, deep contrast, and excellent touch responsiveness. The outer screen features a practical 21:9 aspect ratio, providing a familiar phone-like experience when folded — unlike the narrow cover displays seen on earlier foldables.

4. Powerful Performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip under the hood, the Magic V3 handles everything from multitasking to mobile gaming without breaking a sweat. You can choose between 12GB or 16GB of RAM, which ensures a smooth and fast experience when juggling multiple apps or switching between folded and unfolded modes.

5. Impressive Camera Setup

The triple-lens rear camera includes:

• 50MP main camera (f/1.9, OIS)

• 50MP ultra-wide camera

• 20MP telephoto camera with 2.5x optical zoom

Foldables often sacrifice camera performance for design, but Honor has avoided that trap. The main lens delivers crisp, detailed shots, and the telephoto lens adds useful versatility — although low-light performance still trails behind traditional flagship phones.

6. Long-Lasting Battery with Fast Charging

Packing a 5,000mAh battery into a frame this thin is genuinely impressive. The Magic V3 supports 66W wired fast charging, allowing users to get a substantial charge in under 30 minutes. In real-world terms, the battery will comfortably last a full day of moderate to heavy use — a major plus in the foldable category.

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Current Price and Where to Buy

The Honor Magic V3 has an official UK retail price of £1,699, but savvy shoppers can get a significant discount. Using the exclusive voucher code AV3AP500 from our Honor voucher code page, the price drops to just £1,199.

Retail availability (as of April 2025):

• Honor UK – Best place to buy with active voucher code

• Amazon UK, Currys, John Lewis – Currently unavailable or not listing this model

• Argos & Carphone Warehouse – No active listings for Magic V3

Right now, buying directly from Honor with the £500 discount is the most cost-effective option.

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Honor Magic V3 in Action – Performance and User Experience

Foldable smartphones often sound futuristic on paper, but the real test is how they hold up in day-to-day use. The Honor Magic V3 aims to deliver both form and function, and after testing it extensively, our team at My Favourite Voucher Codes can report that the results are mostly impressive — but not without a few caveats.

Smooth, Snappy and Capable

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and backed by up to 16GB of RAM, the Honor Magic V3 performs like a true flagship. Whether you're running multiple apps side-by-side, playing graphics-intensive games, or editing photos on the go, the device barely breaks a sweat. Transitions between the cover screen and the inner foldable display are smooth, and animations are fluid, with minimal stutter or lag.

In real-world use, it easily handled tasks such as navigating between browser tabs, streaming full HD video on the inner display, and using productivity apps like Microsoft Teams and Google Docs in split-screen mode. It feels like using a tablet and a phone in one — without the typical compromises in speed or responsiveness.

A Display That Delivers

Both displays offer a 120Hz refresh rate and support for HDR10+, which makes a noticeable difference when consuming content. The larger internal 7.92-inch display is excellent for reading documents, watching videos, and multitasking, while the 6.43-inch external display is large enough to handle most interactions without needing to unfold the device.

Brightness levels are high enough for outdoor use, though direct sunlight can occasionally be challenging on the inner screen due to the fold’s reflection. It’s a minor drawback, but one worth noting for those who use their phones heavily outdoors.

Battery Life That Surprises

The inclusion of a 5,000mAh battery in such a thin device is one of Honor’s more impressive engineering feats. In testing, the Magic V3 delivered an entire day of moderate to heavy use — including video playback, messaging, social media, and camera use — without needing a midday top-up.

Charging is handled by 66W wired fast charging, which refuels the battery to around 70% in just over 20 minutes. There’s no wireless charging, which may disappoint some users, but the speed and reliability of the wired charger make up for that omission in most use cases.

Cameras: More Than Just a Bonus

Honor’s decision to equip the Magic V3 with a triple-lens camera system pays off, especially for a foldable. Photos from the main 50MP sensor are sharp and vibrant in good lighting conditions, and the 20MP telephoto lens adds versatility with its 2.5x zoom.

The ultra-wide camera is decent, although edge distortion and slight colour inconsistencies creep in at times. Night photography is a step below what you’d expect from dedicated camera phones like the Pixel 8 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra, but for a foldable, it holds its own.

Software Experience

Running MagicOS 7.2, Honor’s custom interface based on Android 13, the Magic V3 offers a well-optimised and largely bug-free experience. That said, foldable-specific software support could still be improved. Some apps don’t fully take advantage of the larger screen or behave awkwardly when transitioning between folded and unfolded states.

It's a common issue across all foldables, not just Honor's, but worth mentioning if you rely on a diverse range of third-party apps.

Value for Money at a Glance

At its RRP of £1,699, the Honor Magic V3 sits at the premium end of the foldable market. However, with the £500 discount available through our site using code AV3AP500, the price drops to £1,199 — a significant saving that shifts the value proposition in its favour.

At this lower price point, it undercuts the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, which starts around £1,799, and offers better portability, competitive hardware, and a surprisingly strong camera for the form factor.

In short, you're getting a flagship experience wrapped in an innovative design, and with our voucher applied, the price becomes far more justifiable for tech-savvy users or early adopters.

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Unboxing the Honor Magic V3 – First Impressions and Real-Life Test

Unboxing a premium smartphone is often a big part of the ownership experience, and with the Honor Magic V3, there’s no denying the anticipation. From the moment we opened the box, it was clear that Honor wants this device to feel high-end — and for the most part, it succeeds.

First Impressions: Slim, Sharp, and Surprisingly Light

The packaging itself is sleek but understated, housing the phone alongside the usual accessories: a 66W fast charger, USB-C cable, a clear protective case, and a SIM tool. The phone was carefully wrapped and well-protected, and lifting it out of the box offered a genuinely surprising moment — it’s hard to convey just how thin and lightweight the device feels until you actually hold it.

At 9.2mm when folded and a mere 4.4mm when unfolded, the Magic V3 is thinner than many standard smartphones, let alone other foldables. That difference isn’t just a technical point — it genuinely changes the day-to-day experience. It doesn’t feel like a brick in your pocket or a mini tablet weighing down your hand. The matte finish on the back gives it a modern, refined texture, and the hinge mechanism feels solid and smooth when transitioning between open and closed modes.

Setup and Functionality: Quick and Polished

Booting up the Magic V3 was quick, and the setup process was smooth, especially for anyone already in the Android ecosystem. MagicOS 7.2 introduces some thoughtful enhancements over stock Android, particularly for multitasking and split-screen use on the internal display.

We tested everything from social media apps to video conferencing tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The inner display’s generous size makes productivity apps feel genuinely usable — it’s not a gimmick. Watching YouTube or Netflix on the unfolded screen offers an experience closer to a small tablet, and the speakers deliver respectable stereo sound for a foldable.

Real-World Use: Folding Without Fuss

Opening and closing the device felt satisfying and well-balanced. The hinge, reinforced with titanium components, is reassuringly sturdy but not stiff. Unlike some foldables that require force or feel awkward to open one-handed, the Magic V3 strikes a near-perfect balance.

One standout moment during our testing was editing photos on the internal screen using Lightroom. The large display, combined with the high resolution and colour accuracy, made this task a breeze — something not typically associated with smartphones. It highlights how the foldable form factor can be more than just a novelty when implemented properly.

How It Compares to Other Foldables

We also compared it side by side with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and the Google Pixel Fold. What stood out immediately was how thin and comfortable the Magic V3 felt by comparison. While Samsung’s and Google’s offerings still feel like thick, weighty devices, the Magic V3 feels much more like a standard phone when closed, and less like you’re carrying around two devices in one.

The only trade-off? The crease down the middle of the internal display is still faintly visible under certain lighting, although it's less prominent than on earlier foldables. That said, we stopped noticing it after a few hours of use.

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Verdict on First Use: The Honor Magic V3 delivers an immediate wow factor out of the box. The premium feel, the polished software experience, and the ultra-slim design make it genuinely exciting to use — not just as a foldable novelty, but as a daily driver.

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Who Should Buy the Honor Magic V3? – Audience and Use Cases

The Honor Magic V3 isn’t just a feat of engineering — it’s also a statement device. With its slim design, flagship performance, and forward-thinking form factor, it’s clearly aimed at a specific kind of user. But who exactly will benefit most from this foldable?

Ideal for Tech Enthusiasts and Early Adopters

If you love trying the latest gadgets and appreciate boundary-pushing design, the Magic V3 delivers. It feels like a true generational leap from previous foldables, not just a modest spec bump. It’s especially appealing to users who’ve been put off by the bulky nature of earlier foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold series — the Magic V3 finally brings a foldable that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

For tech-savvy users who enjoy multitasking, experimenting with new form factors, and staying ahead of the curve, this phone will likely hit the mark.

A Smart Pick for Mobile Professionals

The Magic V3 is also a great fit for professionals who rely on mobile productivity. The ability to run multiple apps on the internal screen simultaneously — think email, calendar, and Teams — makes it a practical tool for work on the go. Combined with strong battery life and a solid camera setup for video calls or content capture, it’s easy to imagine this device fitting into a remote worker’s daily routine.

Those who travel frequently will also appreciate the portability of a device that offers tablet-level screen space without the bulk.

Excellent for Content Consumers and Creators

With its large, high-resolution OLED display and robust stereo sound, the Magic V3 is also well suited to media consumption. Whether you’re watching Netflix, editing photos, or scrolling through social media, the device offers a more immersive experience than traditional smartphones.

Its camera system is more capable than most other foldables, making it a solid option for casual content creators who want a powerful lens system but also appreciate the form factor’s flexibility for framing and shooting.

Not for Everyone

Despite its strengths, the Magic V3 isn’t a universal recommendation. There are a few user groups for whom this device may not be the best fit:

• Budget-conscious users: Even with the £500 discount available through our site, the phone still lands at £1,199 — far above the average price of a mid-range device.

• Users who prefer compact phones: Although the folded form is relatively narrow, the Magic V3 is still larger than many standard phones, particularly when unfolded.

• App-dependent users: While MagicOS is polished, some third-party apps still don’t play nicely with the foldable interface. Users who rely heavily on a wide range of apps may encounter occasional layout quirks or scaling issues.

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In Summary: The Honor Magic V3 is best suited for tech enthusiasts, professionals, and multimedia users who want a premium device that offers both innovation and practicality. It’s not the right phone for everyone, but for those in its target audience, it delivers a truly next-gen experience that actually feels refined — not experimental.

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Competitor Check – How Does the Honor Magic V3 Compare?

In the rapidly evolving foldable smartphone market, the Honor Magic V3 faces stiff competition from established brands like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus. Let's examine how the Magic V3 stacks up against these rivals in terms of design, performance, camera capabilities, and pricing.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Design and Display:

• Thickness: The Galaxy Z Fold6 measures 12.1mm when folded and 5.6mm when unfolded, making it thicker than the Honor Magic V3, which boasts dimensions of 9.2mm folded and 4.4mm unfolded.

• Weight: At 239g, the Z Fold6 is slightly heavier than the Magic V3's 231g.

• Displays: Features a 6.3-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch internal Dynamic AMOLED display.

Performance:

• Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM.

Camera System:

• Triple rear cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.

Battery Life:

• Comes with a 4,400mAh battery, slightly less capacity than the Magic V3's 5,000mAh.

Price:

• Starting at £1,799 for the 256GB model. citeturn0search1

Summary: The Galaxy Z Fold6 offers robust performance and a refined user experience but falls short in portability compared to the Magic V3.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Design and Display:

• Thickness: Measures 10.16mm when folded and 5.1mm when unfolded, thicker than the Magic V3.

• Weight: Weighs 257g, making it heavier than both the Magic V3 and Z Fold6.

• Displays: Features a 6.3-inch OLED cover display and an 8-inch internal OLED display.

Performance:

• Powered by Google's Tensor G4 processor with 16GB of RAM.

Camera System:

• Triple rear cameras: 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultra-wide, and 10.8MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom.

Battery Life:

• Equipped with a 4,650mAh battery.

Price:

• Starting at £1,749. citeturn0search12

Summary: The Pixel 9 Pro Fold excels in camera capabilities and offers a clean Android experience but is bulkier and heavier than the Magic V3.

OnePlus Open

Design and Display:

• Thickness: Measures 11.7mm when folded, thicker than the Magic V3.

• Weight: Weighs 245g, heavier than the Magic V3.

• Displays: Features a 6.31-inch cover display and a 7.82-inch internal OLED display.

Performance:

• Runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor with 16GB of RAM.

Camera System:

• Triple rear cameras: 48MP main, 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and 48MP ultra-wide.

Battery Life:

• Comes with a 4,805mAh battery.

Price:

• Priced at £1,599. citeturn0search35

Summary: The OnePlus Open offers a competitive camera system and performance at a slightly lower price point but is less portable than the Magic V3.

Value Comparison

The Honor Magic V3 stands out for its ultra-slim design and lightweight build, making it the most portable option among its peers. While all these devices offer high-end performance and features, the Magic V3's form factor provides a unique advantage for users prioritizing portability.

Pricing Overview:

• Honor Magic V3: £1,699 RRP; with £500 discount via My Favourite Voucher Codes, reduced to £1,199.

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6: Starting at £1,799.

• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Starting at £1,749.

• OnePlus Open: Priced at £1,599.

Conclusion: Considering the significant discount available through My Favourite Voucher Codes, the Honor Magic V3 offers exceptional value, combining premium features with a sleek design at a more accessible price point.

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Crunching the Numbers – Is the Honor Magic V3 Worth the Money?

Foldable phones have historically come with premium price tags, often outpacing traditional flagship smartphones by several hundred pounds. The Honor Magic V3, with a retail price of £1,699, is no exception — on paper, at least. But when you apply the current £500 discount using the voucher code AV3AP500 (available via our Honor voucher codes page), the conversation around value starts to shift significantly.

A Major Discount That Changes the Equation

With the voucher applied, the Magic V3 drops to £1,199 — bringing it well below the launch prices of most competitors. For context:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 starts at £1,799

• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold begins at £1,749

• OnePlus Open is priced around £1,599

At £1,199, the Honor Magic V3 becomes the most affordable flagship foldable currently available in the UK market — without any significant compromises on hardware or functionality. This alone gives it a notable edge in terms of price-to-performance ratio.

Does the Feature Set Justify the Cost?

Let’s break this down further. For £1,199, you’re getting:

• One of the thinnest and lightest foldables ever made

• A Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor with up to 16GB RAM

• Two high-quality OLED displays (both 120Hz)

• A capable triple-lens camera system

• A 5,000mAh battery with 66W fast charging

• A premium, foldable form factor crafted from magnesium alloy and titanium

Even before applying the discount, these specs are competitive. After the discount, they become hard to beat. This is especially relevant for buyers looking to enter the foldable market without paying top-tier prices for the likes of Samsung or Google.

Are There Trade-Offs?

Of course, no device is perfect. While the Magic V3 excels in hardware and design, there are still areas that could improve:

• Some third-party apps aren’t yet fully optimised for the foldable format.

• The lack of wireless charging might be a drawback for some users.

• Software support and updates from Honor typically lag behind Google and Samsung, which offer longer-term OS and security updates.

These are worth considering — but for many users, especially those prioritising hardware and form factor, these are relatively minor limitations.

Verdict on Value

At full price, the Honor Magic V3 is a compelling, though premium, foldable option. But with the current £500 saving via our exclusive voucher code, it becomes an exceptionally good value for anyone looking to invest in a foldable phone in 2025.

If you're shopping smart — and you’re on our site, so you probably are — this is one of the best high-end tech discounts currently available. Make sure to visit our Honor voucher code page to grab the AV3AP500 offer while it lasts.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Honor Magic V3

Is the Honor Magic V3 Available in My Country?

The Honor Magic V3 has been released in several regions, including the United Kingdom, various European countries, and parts of Asia. For a detailed list of countries where the Magic V3 is available, you can refer to Honor's official support page. 

Does the Honor Magic V3 Support Wireless Charging?

Yes, the Honor Magic V3 supports wireless charging. It is equipped with a 5,150mAh battery that supports 66W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging.

What Operating System Does the Honor Magic V3 Use, and How Long Is It Supported?

The Honor Magic V3 runs on Android 14 with Honor's custom MagicOS 8 overlay. Honor has committed to providing four years of OS updates and five years of security patches for the Magic V3. 

Are There Any Common Issues or Complaints About the Honor Magic V3?

While the Honor Magic V3 has received praise for its slim design and performance, some users have reported minor software glitches, such as occasional unresponsiveness of the inner screen and issues with app notifications. Additionally, certain apps may not be fully optimized for the foldable display, leading to occasional layout issues.

Does the Honor Magic V3 Come with a Warranty?

Honor provides a standard warranty for the Magic V3, though the terms and duration may vary by region. It's advisable to check with your local Honor retailer or the official Honor website for specific warranty information applicable to your country.

What Accessories Are Compatible with the Honor Magic V3?

The Honor Magic V3 is compatible with a range of accessories, including:

• Protective Cases: Designed specifically for the Magic V3's unique foldable design.

• Wireless Chargers: Supporting up to 50W wireless charging.

• Stylus Pens: The main display offers stylus support, enhancing productivity and creativity.

For the best experience, consider using accessories officially endorsed by Honor or those from reputable third-party manufacturers known for producing quality products compatible with Honor devices.

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Final Verdict – Should You Buy the Honor Magic V3?

After thoroughly testing and reviewing the Honor Magic V3, it's clear that this device isn’t just another entry in the growing foldable phone market — it's one of the most refined and user-friendly foldables we’ve seen to date. From its impressively thin design to its capable performance and well-executed display technology, the Magic V3 sets a new benchmark for portability without compromising on power.

What Stands Out?

The Magic V3’s ultra-slim profile (just 9.2mm folded, 4.4mm unfolded) remains its defining characteristic, especially compared to bulkier alternatives like the Galaxy Z Fold6 or Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Combined with a large, vibrant display, strong performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and a full-day battery life, it’s a surprisingly well-rounded package.

Add to that a solid triple-lens camera system and fast wired charging, and it’s clear that Honor didn’t simply chase form at the expense of function. It’s a device that feels as good to use as it looks.

Who Is It For?

The Magic V3 is ideal for:

• Tech enthusiasts looking for the latest innovation in smartphone design

• Professionals who want a productivity-boosting device that still fits in a pocket

• Media lovers who value immersive content viewing on a near-tablet-sized screen

• Travellers and remote workers who benefit from the foldable’s versatility

However, it may not be the best choice for:

• Users looking for a budget-friendly device

• Those who prioritise wireless charging or guaranteed long-term software updates

• Anyone unwilling to work around the occasional app compatibility issue with foldables

Our Recommendation

At its full price of £1,699, the Honor Magic V3 offers a premium foldable experience, but with the £500 discount currently available through our site using the code AV3AP500, the value becomes undeniable. For £1,199, you’re getting a truly innovative smartphone that holds its own against, and in many ways surpasses, more expensive competitors.

So, should you buy it? If you’re in the market for a foldable phone that balances practicality, innovation, and aesthetics — and you want to make the most of a substantial discount — then yes, we believe the Honor Magic V3 is well worth your consideration.

To claim the latest deals, don’t forget to visit our Honor voucher codes page and make use of the £500 off code AV3AP500 while it’s still available.

by Julian House 20th April 2025