Foldable phones have matured, they’re no longer curiosities. Today, they demand respect and I’ve spent time studying both the Honor Magic V5 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Here’s a look at where each shines, where each stumbles, and what’s important if you’re choosing between them.
Design & Build
I believe first impressions count. Folded feel, materials, weight, all these tell a lot.
Honor Magic V5
- Thickness: ~8.8 mm when folded. Unfolded around 4.1 mm.
- Weight: ~217-222 grams.
- Build quality: solid, with IP58 & IP59 ratings (water, dust, immersion and high pressure jets) giving real protection.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Thickness: ~8.9 mm folded; ~4.2 mm unfolded. Slightly thicker than Honor when closed, but very close.
- Weight: ~215 grams.
- Materials: Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 rear + Ceramic-enhanced glass (Ceramic 2) on cover screen. Better protection vs drops/scratches with IP48 rating.
Take on Design & Build
- Honor V5 gets more points on thinness by a fraction. The lighter build is noticeable in-hand.
- Samsung’s build materials are tougher. The flap & hinge are more refined.
- If you want a phone you can pocket more easily, Honor edges it. But durability, over years, may favour Samsung.
Displays & Screen Experience
Foldables live and die by their screens. Here, size, refresh rate, brightness, cover usability matter.
The Honor Magic V5 comes with a 7.95-inch flexible OLED main screen that supports a 120 Hz refresh rate. Its cover display measures 6.43 inches, also OLED with 120 Hz. Honor claims the device can reach brightness levels of up to 5,000 nits in certain conditions, making visibility exceptionally high even under direct sunlight.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 features an 8.0-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Its cover screen is slightly larger at 6.5 inches, using AMOLED technology, also with a 120 Hz refresh rate. In terms of brightness, Samsung rates the Z Fold 7 at up to 2,600 nits peak, which is high but still below what Honor advertises.
User experience
- Samsung’s larger inner display gives a tablet-like view. Multitasking, reading, sketching are more enjoyable.
- Honor’s narrower fold and slightly smaller unfolded screen make it more manageable; the crease is less obtrusive, in some reviews.
- The cover display on both is good; Samsung’s is a bit more square (better for typing, messaging) while Honor’s cover screen is slightly more compact.
Performance & Software
Power, speed, updates, and the user environment.
Honor Magic V5
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite.
- RAM / Storage: Up to 16 GB RAM, large storage options.
- Battery: 5,820 mAh.
- Charging: ~66 W wired fast charge; wireless charging support.
- Software: MagicOS 9.0.1 based on Android 15. Good features; however, some report that UI polish lags slightly behind Samsung’s long-standing refinements.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm). Strong, efficient.
- RAM / Storage: Options up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage.
- Battery: 4,400 mAh.
- Charging: 25 W (wired), 15 W wireless; reverse wireless support.
- Software: One UI 8 over Android 16. Samsung has more mature foldable-specific features (multitasking, app continuity, optimised visuals). Also expectations for longer updates.
Verdict on Performance & Software
- Honor provides bigger battery, faster wired charging. If battery life and quick top-ups are your priority, V5 is the one.
- Samsung still leads in software maturity, updates, and foldable-tailored user experience. For power users and those invested in Samsung’s ecosystem, Z Fold 7 likely gives fewer compromises.
Camera Systems
Cameras are a major differentiator now. Let’s break down what each offers.
Honor Magic V5
- Rear cameras: 50 MP main, 50 MP ultra-wide, 64 MP telephoto (3×).
- Selfies: Dual 20 MP.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Rear cameras: 200 MP main with OIS, 12 MP ultra-wide, 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom).
- Front cameras: 10 MP cover-screen, 10 MP main screen selfie.
What this means in real use
- Samsung’s 200 MP sensor gives you huge resolution. Great for cropping, large prints, very detailed shots in good lighting.
- Honor’s combination is balanced. The ultra-wide and telephoto are strong; the telephoto especially shines. In low light, Samsung may have an edge thanks to larger sensor and advanced image processing.
- Selfie quality: both are decent; Samsung’s front camera setup is more refined especially in video.
Battery Life & Charging
This is where I see the biggest trade-offs.
- Honor Magic V5 has a larger battery (~5,820 mAh) and much faster wired charging (66 W). That means quicker recharges and more headroom for demanding use.
- Samsung Z Fold 7 has a smaller battery (~4,400 mAh), and slower charging.
In usage, V5 tends to last longer under mixed use (browsing, video, calls). Fold 7 is more efficient per task, and if you mostly do lighter work it will still get you through the day. But heavy usage (gaming, multitasking, long screen-on times) favours Honor.
Durability & Extras
Foldables are fragile by nature. These extras count.
- Honor Magic V5 has strong water & dust resistance IP58 and IP59. That’s better than many foldables.
- Samsung Z Fold 7 has IP48 rating (splash/dust), tougher glass options, better hinge design, more durable frame materials.
Other extras:
- Samsung supports more mature foldable-features: multi-window modes, more refined software tools.
- Honor has faster charging, bigger battery, slightly slimmer closed profile.
Price & Value
- Samsung says Fold 7 is a premium flagship selling at N2.7 million to N3.45 million; 256GB to 1TB
- Honor tends to undercut Samsung on price, offering much of the hardware but with some compromises (software polish, charging ecosystem, maybe support in some regions). The phone is selling at N2.4 million to N3.15 million
If I were buying, I’d seriously weigh whether the extra cost of the Fold 7 is worth the incremental improvements (camera, materials, brand trust) versus what Magic V5 gives you.
My Take
If I were you, here’s how I’d think:
- Pick Honor Magic V5 if:
- You want a long-battery foldable, with fast charging.
- Slimness and weight matter (putting it in your pocket, using it on the go).
- You care more about raw value, strong specs per dollar, than top cinematic camera performance.
- Pick Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 if:
- You want the best camera system and top image/video quality.
- Durability, build materials, long software updates matter hugely to you.
- You want the most polished foldable UI experience now, with features that work smoothly.
Both are excellent. Neither is perfect. But depending on what you care about, battery vs camera vs durability vs price, one will definitely suit you more.
