Honor Magic V2 Review: Outstanding Hardware Hampered by Half-Baked Software

After over two weeks testing the freshly launched Honor Magic V2 foldable phone, I'm convinced the hardware capabilities achieve unprecedented slimness and versatility. But software inconsistencies like stability bugs and camera underperformance relative to rivals give me pause on wholeheartedly recommending it - yet. At £1,699 in the UK, the Magic V2 aggressively undercuts the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Google Pixel Fold. Does Honor's aggressively priced foldable deliver enough to take on the category's established players though? Let's fully break it down.

Featherweight Foldable Brings Unmatched Portability

Weighing a scant 237g and just 10.1mm thin when closed, the Magic V2 offers a generational leap in portability for foldables. During daily outings I genuinely forgot it was tucked in my jacket as it disappeared like traditional slab phones always have. Even gallivanting about theme parks all day, the V2's featherweight chassis virtually vanished.

*The Magic V2 brings standard smartphone portability to foldables for the first time.* Yet unfurl the expansive 7.92" inner display for immersive YouTube binging or running three apps simultaneously. This two-screen flexibility in such a thin package delivers the best of both worlds - pocketable external screen for messages and calls, then unfold for additional real estate only when desired.

Potent Specs Check All Boxes

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip inside may not be cutting edge anymore, but I experienced zero performance lag across intensive tasks like gaming, video editing and 3D modeling. Couple that still-capable SoC with a generous 16GB of RAM and 512GB of expandable storage and you've got a productivity workhorse. The 5,000 mAh battery endured a full day of mixed use as well thanks to variable refresh rates between 1-120Hz on the OLED panels. And 66W wired charging reaches a 50% charge in just 20 minutes - indispensably quick top-ups.

*Beefy battery keeps you powered up thanks to clever variable refresh rates.* The rear triple camera array captures nice social media-worthy shots across focal lengths too, albeit falling slightly behind pricier foldables in areas like low light exposures. But perfectly suitable for documenting life's adventures when on the move.

Streamlined Multitasking Shines...When It Works

Unfurling the gorgeous 7.92” inner display reveals extra horizontal space perfect for productivity. Juggling Slack, Outlook, and Chrome windows side-by-side proves efficient. And running three apps simultaneously helpful for pooling conference call feeds atop reference materials and notetaking.

*Unfolded multitasking possibilities aid productivity.* But software inconsistencies plague the experience currently. Instagram now expands correctly, yet too many apps ignore all that widescreen canvas or awkwardly letterbox content. Glitchy behavior like Gboard clashing with split-screen keyboard placement hints that Honor still has optimization work left. Occasional stability hiccups hamper the Magic V2's workflow potential. If Honor resolves these bugs, unmatched portability combines with useful screen real estate for mobile efficiency nowhere else found.

Honor Magic V2 - Specs and Features

Category	Details
Folded Display	6.43" OLED, 120Hz
Opened Display	7.92" OLED, 120Hz
Dimensions	Folded: 161.2 x 74.2 x 9.8mm
Weight	237g (vegan leather), 261g (glass)
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM / Storage	16GB / 512GB
Rear Cameras	50MP Main, 20MP 3x Telephoto, 50MP Ultrawide
Battery Capacity	5,000mAh
Charging	66W Wired, No Wireless Charging
Biometrics	Side Fingerprint Scanner
Android Version	Android 13 with Magic UI 7.1

I hope this clearly summarizes the core capabilities prospective buyers care about! Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.

The Bottom Line - So Very Close to Foldable Nirvana

The remarkably compact Honor Magic V2 represents a hugely compelling new entry IF it irons out lingering software quirks. Slimmer than any rival when folded yet highly versatile unfolded, its hardware deserves a polished experience free of unforced errors. I sincerely hope Honor issues updates resolving the glitches holding back this otherwise category-redefining foldable. The Magic V3 could be a undisputed stunner if software matures to match the groundbreaking design. For now, be prepared for sporadic hiccups hampering the V2’s incredible potential. But if you prioritize pocketable portability above all and tolerate occasional oddities, the Magic V2 delivers incredible two-screen productivity anywhere via remarkably slight dimensions. It stands so very close to foldable utopia.