The phone, called the Magic V5, measures as thin as 8.8mm when folded shut, making it one of the slimmest foldable devices ever to hit the market. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold6, announced last year, is 12.1mm when folded. With the latest models, the form factor has nearly reached the thinness of conventional smartphones - even while offering a tablet-sized inner display for improved multitasking and more immersive video consumption.
The tech industry's biggest players, including Google and Huawei Technologies, have been experimenting with foldable designs for years, even though they have yet to gain traction among mainstream consumers. Samsung is planning to introduce the Galaxy Z Fold7 on 9 July, while Apple is planning to release its first folding iPhone as soon as 2026, according to reports. The new Honor device will first roll out in China and other non-US markets.
The Chinese company said it expects Apple's eventual entry to drive overall market growth and accelerate development of the category. "We welcome Apple's participation and are not afraid to compete directly with them," it said.
The Magic V5 comes in white, black, gold and brown, but the 8.8mm thickness rating is only available on the white model. The rest of the colours come in at 9mm when shut and 4.2mm when open. The slimmer white version comes in at 4.1mm when opened up. The other specifications are the same regardless of the colour.
The external display used when the phone is closed measures 6.4 inches, while the inner display is 7.95 inches. Those are about the same sizes as the screens on the current Magic V3 model.