Honor Magic V3 Release Date, Price & Specs

Honor has officially confirmed a global launch date of the Magic V3, and it’s happening soon.

If you’re wondering why Honor is releasing the next generation so soon after the Magic V2 launch, it was an older device than you might think. That phone was initially unveiled in China back in July 2023, meaning we had to wait several months for a global launch. The same, however, isn’t happening with the Magic V3.

But what exactly does this foldable phone offer? Here’s everything we know so far.

When will the Honor Magic V3 be released?

The Honor Magic V3 was first launched in China on 12 July 2024. The global launch was officially confirmed for 5 September 2024 at the IFA 2024 trade show in Berlin.

As a reminder, here’s when recent generations were released:

How much will the Honor Magic V3 cost?

There’s been no official word on the pricing for the Honor Magic V3 at the time of writing. For guidance, we can look to the previous models:

The Magic V2 comes with a higher price tag than its predecessor, but still costs less than key rivals such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (from £1,799/$1,899) and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold (from £1,749/$1,799).

It’s very difficult to predict how this might change on the next generation. Hopefully, Honor will be able to make the device slightly more affordable this time around. CNY 8,999 starting price in China converts to around £960/$1,250, but that’s unlikely to be accurate.

What specs and features will the Honor Magic V3 have?

Design

The Honor Magic V3 is one of the world’s thinnest foldable smartphones, measuring 9.2mm when folded and just 4.35mm when unfolded, and weighs 226g. Its dimensions are 156.6×145.3mm when unfolded and 156.6×74mm when folded.

YouTuber SuperSaf talked more about this in his collaboration video with Honor:

The biggest rival in this aspect is the latest Galaxy Z Fold 6, which measures 12.1mm when folded and 5.6mm when unfolded. Honor has managed to beat Samsung and, what’s interesting, has issued an apology to all Samsung foldable owners.

Honor’s apology, recognising the inconvenience caused to Samsung customers who purchased a bulkier alternative, is engraved on the 2.84mm hinge of the Magic V3. The 166-word apology was crafted by micro-artist Graham Short, who spent 90 hours engraving it by hand, using diamond-tipped pins due to the phone’s durable material.

Although the engraving can only be seen under a microscope, you will find the full text below:

Dear Samsung Galaxy Z Fold owners, we’re sorry. We know you were excited to buy a phone that folds in half and fits in your pocket, awkwardly. You were promised the future, a technical marvel, a world of boundless multitasking and performance.

And now, you’re probably looking at the new HONOR Magic V3 and feeling a little… betrayed. Size matters, and we feel your pain. Like being tipped for a gold medal and then coming last in the race, the knowledge that a thinner, lighter, and more durable foldable exists is enough to make anyone question their choices.

We get it. You were an early adopter, a pioneer bravely venturing into the uncharted territory of foldable screens with questionable durability. You deserve better. In fact, you deserve a gold medal.

In all seriousness, we at HONOR are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and bringing you the best possible foldable experience. We’re just saying… it’s okay to feel let down. We’d feel the same way.

Honor

The device is available in four colours: Green, White, Black and Red. The Red variant features a faux leather panel and a golden frame, giving it a luxurious aesthetic. According to a leaker Arsène Lupin, the global version of the phones will be available in all but the White finish.