The new Honor Magic V6 is making waves in the smartphone market, boasting an ultra-slim design, impressive performance, and a stunning display. This foldable marvel, priced at £1,500 (€1,700/A$2,999), presents an enticing alternative to the competition, particularly Samsung’s offerings. However, while its hardware is commendable, the software experience leaves something to be desired. Let’s dive into the details of this stylish gadget.
A Form Factor That Impresses
The Magic V6 continues Honor’s tradition of creating sleek, lightweight devices that seamlessly blend the functionality of a tablet with the portability of a smartphone. The latest iteration features a striking red suede-like back elegantly framed in gold, adding a touch of luxury. Weighing just 219-224g, it’s one of the lightest foldable devices on the market, ensuring it easily fits into your pocket without compromising on screen size.
When folded, the Magic V6 operates like a high-end smartphone, featuring a crisp OLED display that is both vibrant and smooth. Unfolding it reveals a generous 7.95-inch internal screen, perfect for media consumption and multitasking. However, a slight crease is noticeable, which may detract from the experience for some users. Additionally, the integrated screen film tends to attract fingerprints, necessitating frequent cleaning.
Performance That Packs a Punch
Under the hood, the Magic V6 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a top-tier chip for 2026. This powerhouse allows the device to rival flagship models such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. With 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, its performance is nearly unmatched in the foldable category.
Users can expect impressive battery life, with the Magic V6 lasting nearly two days on a single charge, even with heavy usage. A full charge takes just 59 minutes using a standard 100W USB-C charger, reaching 50% in a swift 25 minutes. However, the device defaults to a “balanced” battery mode, which may limit performance during resource-intensive tasks like gaming. Switching to “performance” mode significantly enhances responsiveness, although at the cost of increased heat and faster battery drain.
MagicOS 10: Unfinished Business
While the hardware shines, the software experience is a mixed bag. The Magic V6 runs on Honor’s MagicOS 10, based on Android 16. While it offers several customisation options and the ability to run up to three apps in split-screen mode, it still feels somewhat outdated compared to competitors running Android 17.
Several features designed to enhance productivity, such as AI tools for efficient multitasking, are present but often underwhelming. For instance, the promised “AI button” doesn’t function as intended, and a bug prevents Google Chrome from operating in split-screen mode. Such issues can be frustrating, particularly for a device in this price range, where users expect a more polished experience.
Camera Capabilities: A Solid Offering
The Magic V6 houses an impressive camera system, featuring a large circular bump on the back that accommodates three lenses, along with a dual 20MP selfie camera setup. The main 50MP camera delivers excellent detail and vibrant colours, although it can struggle with certain textures. The ultra-wide and telephoto lenses also perform admirably, making it a versatile choice for photography enthusiasts.
Low-light performance is commendable across all lenses, and the camera app is user-friendly, packed with features that cater to both casual users and photography aficionados. Video recording capabilities extend up to 4K at 60 frames per second, providing flexibility for content creation.
Sustainability and Repairability
In an era where sustainability is increasingly important, the Magic V6 holds its own. The device maintains at least 80% battery capacity after 1,200 full charge cycles, and Honor has made efforts to ensure the phone is repairable, with published pricing for spare parts. Additionally, the company offers a free screen repair service (Care+) for 24 months when purchased before 2 August.
Why it Matters
The Honor Magic V6 is a stunning piece of technology that showcases impressive engineering and design. Its combination of portability and performance makes it an attractive option for those seeking a foldable device. However, the software inconsistencies and reliance on outdated features detract from an otherwise promising package. As the foldable market continues to evolve, Honor must refine its software experience to truly compete with more polished rivals from Samsung and Google. For now, the Magic V6 stands as a testament to what’s possible, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.