The foldable smartphone market is becoming increasingly competitive, with the Honor Magic V3 aiming to challenge the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. With Honor’s bold marketing strategies and claims about its superiority, we compare both models to see if the Magic V3 can genuinely outshine Samsung’s latest offering.
Honor Magic V3: Price & Availability
The Honor Magic V3 is priced at £1,699 (approximately $2,230), making it a premium choice in the foldable market. This model is not available in the USA but is packed with offers like a £300 discount at launch, a free stylus pen, smartwatch, earbuds, and a 6-month screen protection plan. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, which starts at £1,799 ($1,899), the Magic V3 provides more storage in its base model.
Other competitors in the market include:
- OnePlus Open: £1,599 ($1,699)
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: £1,749 ($1799)
In comparison, the new iPhone 16 Pro Max (512GB) starts at £1,399 ($1,399).
What’s New with the Honor Magic V3?
- Thinner & Lighter Design: The Honor Magic V3 offers a slim profile, making it feel more like a regular smartphone when folded.
- Better Water Resistance: With an IPX8 rating, it’s better protected against water compared to many competitors.
- Periscope Zoom Camera: Enhances the camera experience, especially for portrait shots.
- Upgraded Eye-Care Features: Reduces eye strain with defocus display technology.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor: The latest in power efficiency and performance.
These improvements over its predecessor, the Magic V2, make it an attractive option for those looking for the latest tech in foldable phones.
Honor Magic V3: Design Overview
The Honor Magic V3 stands out with its lightweight design:
- Dimensions: 74 x 145.3 x 9.2mm (varying slightly by color)
- Weight: 226g to 230g
- Colors Available: Black, Green, and Reddish Brown
The matte metal frame offers better grip, and the vegan leather finish adds a premium feel. Despite its slender form, the Magic V3 maintains durability with its IPX8 water resistance, though the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers superior dust resistance.
One drawback is the hinge mechanism, which feels less smooth compared to its competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Honor Magic V3: Display Quality
- Cover Display: 6.43-inch OLED with a 20:9 aspect ratio (2376 x 1060 resolution)
- Internal Display: 7.98-inch OLED with a 9.78:9 aspect ratio (2344 x 2156 resolution)
The wider front display of the Magic V3 offers a more comfortable typing experience compared to the narrower Galaxy Z Fold 6. Both displays support a 1-120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and gaming. The Honor Magic V3’s larger tablet-style screen is perfect for multitasking, watching videos, or gaming.
Performance & Battery Life
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 12GB
- Battery: 5150mAh with 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
The Honor Magic V3 performs exceptionally well in handling multitasking, gaming, and heavy usage. It outshines the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in battery capacity and charging speed, reaching a full charge in around 45 minutes. The longer battery life makes it a more reliable choice for all-day use.
Software Experience
The Honor Magic V3 runs on Magic OS 8.0.1, based on Android 14. Key features include:
- Taskbar: Improved multitasking with split-screen capabilities.
- Magic Portal: A unique feature for sharing content between apps.
- Keyboard Experience: While the phone defaults to Gboard, some improvements are needed for better usability.
Although there are some pre-installed apps, most can be uninstalled, allowing for a more personalized interface. The Honor Magic V3 receives 4 years of operating system updates and 5 years of security updates, which is slightly less than the 7-year support from Samsung.
Camera Quality
- Main Camera: 50MP with optical image stabilization (OIS)
- 3.5x Optical Zoom: 50MP with OIS
- Ultra-wide Camera: 40MP
- Selfie Camera: 20MP
The Magic V3’s camera system excels, especially in low-light photography, outperforming both Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in terms of night mode. While there are slight inconsistencies in color between the lenses, the overall performance is impressive, with advanced AI features like object removal and enhanced portrait modes.
Verdict: Honor Magic V3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Honor Magic V3 is a strong contender in the foldable market, boasting superior design, battery life, and camera performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. However, Samsung still leads in terms of software polish, AI capabilities, and longer update support. If you prioritize a slim design, camera quality, and battery life, the Honor Magic V3 is the ideal choice.
FAQs
1. Is the Honor Magic V3 better than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6?
The Honor Magic V3 offers a more lightweight design, superior battery life, and a better camera system. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 excels in software support and AI features.
2. Does the Honor Magic V3 support stylus input?
Yes, the Honor Magic V3 supports stylus input on both its cover and main display, making it ideal for productivity tasks.
3. How long will the Honor Magic V3 receive software updates?
The Magic V3 receives 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates.
4. Is the Honor Magic V3 water-resistant?
Yes, the Honor Magic V3 has an IPX8 water resistance rating, allowing it to withstand up to 2.5m depths for up to 30 minutes.
5. Can I buy the Honor Magic V3 in the USA?
No, the Honor Magic V3 is unavailable in the USA but in other regions like the UK and Australia.
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