Honor Magic V6: World’s First IP69-Rated Foldable
▼ Summary
– Honor has announced the Magic V6, claiming it is the world’s thinnest book-style foldable phone for the third consecutive year and the first foldable with an IP69 rating for high-pressure water resistance.
– The phone features a significantly larger 6,660mAh battery than its predecessor and competitors, enabled by an improved silicon-carbon battery with higher energy density.
– When folded, the Magic V6 is exceptionally thin at 8.75mm, making it comparable in thickness to a standard flagship smartphone like the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
– It includes high-end specifications such as a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a triple rear camera with a 64MP periscope telephoto lens, and enhanced cross-compatibility features with Apple devices like AirPods.
– The international release and pricing for the Magic V6 are not yet finalized, with a planned launch in the second half of the year following its initial sale in China.
For the third consecutive year, Honor has unveiled what it claims is the planet’s slimmest book-style foldable smartphone. This time, the device also packs the largest battery found in any folding phone and achieves a groundbreaking first: it is the world’s only foldable with an IP69 rating. Announced at MWC in Barcelona, the Honor Magic V6 combines these three notable records, though its actual launch is staggered. The phone will arrive in China later this month, with a global release scheduled for the second half of the year, leaving pricing details still under wraps. Having spent a few weeks with a pre-production unit, I can confirm these ambitious claims are more than just theoretical.
The durability story is particularly compelling. While Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold last year set a high bar with an IP68 rating, Honor has pushed further. The Magic V6 carries both IP68 and IP69 certifications. This means it’s not only protected against dust and prolonged immersion in water but is also rated to withstand high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. Essentially, it’s designed to survive scenarios from a relaxing bath to an intense shower or even an industrial cleaning.
In its folded state, this device holds the title for the thinnest book-style foldable available. The physical limitation now seems to be the USB-C port itself. While the gold model I tested isn’t the absolute slimmest variant, its shimmering finish is quite attractive. The camera module, though still substantial, protrudes less from the body than in previous generations.
When unfolded, the V6 measures a mere 4mm thick, expanding to 8.75mm when closed. That folded thickness is comparable to a standard iPhone 17 Pro Max and represents a marginal improvement over rivals. It’s 0.15mm slimmer than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and a hair’s breadth, 0.05mm, thinner than its predecessor, the Magic V5. We’re debating fractions of a millimeter, but the achievement remains significant: a foldable that genuinely rivals the sleek feel of a traditional smartphone.
The battery is where the Magic V6 makes a more substantial leap. It houses a massive 6,660mAh battery, a notable increase from the 5,820mAh cell in the V5 and a full 50% larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 4,400mAh unit. While comprehensive battery life testing will come with a full review closer to launch, the sheer capacity suggests it should easily power through a day of heavy use on both screens. The large battery was a standout feature of the previous model, and Honor has impressively expanded on that strength.
This capacity boost is enabled by an advanced silicon-carbon battery. Honor has increased the silicon content from 15% to 25%, enhancing energy density. The company has also developed an even more potent 32% silicon battery, which will be exclusive to the 1TB model in China. While its exact capacity hasn’t been disclosed, Honor confirms it will surpass the 7,000mAh threshold.
On the display front, Honor states the internal crease has been reduced, though it hasn’t been eliminated entirely. The company is also optimistic about its new telephoto camera, though its real-world performance is still to be evaluated.
Other specifications align with flagship expectations. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It supports a stylus on both screens and features 80W wired charging alongside wireless charging, though not the newer magnetic Qi2 standard. The triple rear camera system includes a 64-megapixel, 3x periscope lens. Honor boldly claims this is “the best telephoto in a foldable,” but without final camera software on my test unit, it’s too early to judge if it can surpass the excellent zoom cameras on recent Vivo foldables.
A final, clever feature involves enhanced compatibility with Apple’s ecosystem. The Magic V6 will fully support AirPods software features, including Find My tracking for the earbuds themselves. It also syncs notifications to an iPhone, relays them to an Apple Watch, and facilitates screen and file sharing with iPhones and MacBooks. Whether Honor plans to support a service like AirDrop remains unconfirmed, but it seems a logical next step.
While perhaps not as visually striking as the gimbal-equipped Honor Robot Phone also showcased at MWC, the Magic V6’s trio of records, thinness, battery size, and extreme durability, individually are incremental but collectively promise a meaningful upgrade. The true test will come when the device finally reaches consumers later this year.
(Source: The Verge)
