Global rollout begins – Malaysia takes the lead
Honor has taken a major step in its global strategy with the international release of its flagship foldable, the Magic V5. The smartphone, first unveiled in China, is now reaching new markets, beginning with Malaysia. This move also paves the way for the device to appear in Europe, though an exact launch date for the region remains under wraps for now.
In Malaysia, the Magic V5 comes in at roughly 1.525,00 € and offers a tempting launch package for early buyers. The pre-order bundle, which runs until July 24, includes a premium Harman Kardon Bluetooth speaker, extra device protection, and an instant rebate that sweetens existing trade-in deals. Honor has clearly focused on boosting early uptake with these incentives, a tactic that could also appeal to European consumers if similar offers materialise here.
Flagship specs with minor regional adjustments
The Magic V5 carries over most of its hardware from the Chinese version, delivering an elegant book-style fold at just 8.8 mm thick when closed. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and features a 64-megapixel periscope camera offering 3x optical zoom. It boasts updated dust and water protection, now conforming to IP58 and IP59 certifications. Notably, the international model comes with a slightly lower battery capacity at 5,820 mAh, compared to the Chinese unit’s 6,100 mAh. While this difference is unlikely to affect day-to-day use for most users, it shows that Honor is adjusting its devices to meet market requirements or production constraints.
Europe next in line – but when will it launch here?
Honor is expected to debut the Magic V5 in Singapore next, before extending its reach to more regions in Asia, the Middle East, and, crucially, Europe. If the company follows its usual timeline, European buyers will likely see the Magic V5 on shelves or online retailers soon. As the foldable market grows more competitive, especially in Europe, Honor’s latest offering will have to impress not only through specs but also with long-term software support and localised offers.