In the realm of foldables, only a handful of brands have managed to leave a lasting impression in the tech industry. One of those brands is HONOR, which, if you think about it, only started making foldable smartphones a little over four and a half years ago.
HONOR quickly climbed the ranks by offering reasonably priced foldables (well, reasonably priced for a foldable, anyway) without compromising performance or durability.
With the company setting such a high bar not just for itself but for the entire foldable community, will the new HONOR Magic V6 carry the torch or will the flame die with it?
Let’s find out…
Unboxing
Starting off with the unboxing, the HONOR Magic V6 comes in this square unassuming black box, not much info, just the title in the middle of a ring that resembles the HONOR Magic V6’s camera ring.
Upon lifting the top part, you’ll immediately be greeted by the foldable itself. The rest of the included accessories lie underneath. These include:
- A color-matched leather-backed rear panel case
- An 80W SuperCharge brick
- USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable
- A SIM ejector tool
- Quick start guide and warranty information
Not gonna lie, the HONOR Magic V6’s case is one of the best ones I’ve seen on a smartphone. The attention to detail is phenomenal and you wouldn’t think twice before putting it because it blends seamlessly with the phone’s design.
Built Tough
Just look at their track record. Most, if not all, of HONOR’s smartphones have undergone some sort of crazy stunt just to prove how durable it is. Whether we’re talking about entry-level devices or top-of-the-line flagships, HONOR has consistently delivered smartphones that are both durable and stylish enough to catch anyone’s eye.
The HONOR Magic V6 proves to be no different. The company casually used the foldable to tow a 1-ton aircraft. That’s thanks to the HONOR Magic V6’s 2800 MPa Super Steel Hinge that the company says can withstand 500,000 folds with a crease that’s nearly unnoticeable.
That 2800 MPa figure isn’t just a random number that HONOR just thought of. MPa stands for megapascal, a unit used to measure the strength of materials such as concrete and steel, as well as hydraulic pressure.
To put the 2800 MPa into context, steel handles about 250 to 550 MPa. Only more advanced materials, such as titanium alloys, approach the same level of strength as the HONOR Magic V6’s Super Steel Hinge.
I don’t know if it’ll set any world records like last year’s HONOR Magic V5 but I think it’s only a matter of time before it does. But what I am sure of is that the HONOR Magic V6 is the first foldable to achieve an IP69 rating which further proves its credibility when it comes to durability.
But what I think is even more impressive is the fact that it fits in a package that measures only 4.0mm thick when unfolded or 8.75mm thick when folded, and weighs just 219 g.
As for the design, it’s what you would expect from HONOR’s top tier smartphones. There are three colors to choose from: red, gold, and white. Each colorway exudes luxury in its own way, but truth be told, the red and gold colorways pop just a bit more than the white option.
Two Screens, Zero Compromises
Aside from having the bragging rights of owning a foldable in the midst of a RAM shortage, the other reason for owning one lies in its practicality. After all, you’re essentially carrying a tablet that folds neatly into your pocket.
When unfolded, the user can easily take advantage of the large and sharp 7.95-inch 2172p 120Hz LTPO OLED display which can boost up to 5,000 nits. Then when the work is done and you want to tuck all that screen away, you’ll still be able to take advantage of a 6.52-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED panel that goes as bright as 6,000 nits.
HONOR didn’t stop there. The company also packed in several features designed to reduce eye strain. These include AI Defocus Display, a 4320Hz PWM Flicker-Free Dimming, Circadian Night Display, and Nature Tone Display.
And who could forget HONOR’s signature focus on durability? The cover screen is protected with HONOR’s Super Armored Screen while the main display is coated with HONOR’s Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield. Just don’t go peeling the pre-applied screen protector because trust me… you’ll be in a world of pain…
Taking Aim with a Triple-Lens Setup
HONOR didn’t skimp on the cameras, either. I mean, why would they? Other than the durability, cameras are HONOR’s bread and butter. The HONOR Magic V6 proves to be no different, thanks to a triple rear camera system consisting of a 50 MP ultra-wide camera, a 50 MP main camera, and a 64 MP telephoto camera.
The 64 MP telephoto lens can shoot at up to 3x optical zoom, but you can extend that to 100x using digital zoom.
On the selfie front, the HONOR Magic V6 features two 20 MP front-facing cameras, one on the cover and one on the main display. Both the rear and the front support up to 4K video recording so all the footage you take appears nice and clear, especially on the big screen.
Here’s a few of the shots we took during the HONOR Magic V6’s daring stunt.
As expected, the HONOR Magic V6 produces sharp and detailed shots, regardless of the distance. Even when using the telephoto lens, the colors retain their natural color, especially when it comes to the skin tones.
Even on shots with the harsh sunlight overhead, the HONOR Magic V6 seamlessly balances the exposure so that no part is dark which is where many smartphone cameras struggle with.
All Turbo, No Lag
The HONOR Magic V6 isn’t just great at taking punches, it’s also good at giving one. That’s because, underneath that durable exterior, lies the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the best that Qualcomm currently has to offer. It’s backed up by up to 32GB of RAM (with 16GB of Extended RAM) and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage.
We’ve already seen what the SD 8 Elite Gen 5 can do on the phones that we’ve reviewed in the past so we know that it isn’t something to trifle with. But seeing as each phone behaves differently, we still ran AnTuTu Benchmark V11 and it managed to score 1,950,458.
Along with benchmarking, we also ran some of the most popular mobile games on the market and as suspected, the HONOR Magic V6 knocks every single one out of the park.
It ships with MagicOS 10 (based on Android 16) out of the box, and given HONOR’s previous commitments, the Magic V6 should be good for up to 7 years of major Android updates and security patches. With software support that extensive and hardware built to withstand almost anything, this thing will last you 5 years easily.
But long-term support isn’t the only area where MagicOS 10 shines. The OS also introduces several new features designed specifically for the HONOR Magic V6.
These include the following:
- One-swipe Split: Pretty self-explanatory, with a supported app, just swipe-up from the bottom and wait until it shrinks or moves to a corner or side then choose the other app you want to split it with.
- Parallel Space: If you’ve ever dabbled in Linux then you’d probably be familiar with this feature. Parallel Space allows you to create a secondary environment with all your apps, so you can separate your work from your personal stuff.
- HONOR MultiFlex: This is what makes the HONOR Magic V6 a practical choice for professionals and enthusiasts looking to maximize their smartphones. With MultiFlex, you can run up to 3 apps simultaneously, taking advantage of every inch of that large real estate.
Given that it’s 2026, no phone would be complete without AI. The Magic V6 comes loaded with AI Meeting Agent, AI Translate, and AI Screen Suggestions. Plus, HONOR gives users 3 months of Google AI Pro and 5 TB of cloud storage. Yes, you heard (or, in this case, read) that right.
Fueled for the Long Haul
I’ve already said that I’m impressed with how durable the HONOR Magic V6 is despite its thin and light form factor. What impressed me even more, however, is that HONOR somehow managed to squeeze a massive 6,600 mAh silicon-carbon battery into this thing.
It should easily last you a full whole day but if you somehow manage to drain it, the 80W wired SuperCharge can top it up in under an hour. Even charging wirelessly proves to be fast, thanks to the 66W wireless SuperCharge.
Final Thoughts
When foldables were first launched, they were seen as nothing more than cool pieces of tech that only enthusiasts and early adopters would buy. Apart from their exorbitant price tags, they were also plagued by concerns about durability, usability, and software compatibility.
Almost a decade has passed since then, and foldables now feel like smartphones that people can realistically use every day, thanks in no small part to manufacturers like HONOR.
Sure, no smartphone is perfect, and foldables still aren’t for everyone, but the HONOR Magic V6 makes a compelling case for those looking to make the switch.
So, going back to my earlier question: Have we ever had it this good?
When it comes to foldables, the answer might just be no.
Pricing and Availability
You can now score your very own HONOR Magic V6 for ₱119,999. That comes with 32GB of RAM (16 + 16GB) and 512GB of internal storage. HONOR has already started the pre-order for the Magic V6 and if you do avail of one, you’ll get a free HONOR PAD X8b.
The pre-order period only lasts until September 4 so if you’re looking to buy an HONOR Magic V6 then I suggest moving quickly!