Honor Magic V Flip vs Google Pixel Fold: A Deep Dive into Foldable Performance and Value

The foldable phone market is maturing, offering increasingly refined experiences. The Honor Magic V Flip and Google Pixel Fold represent distinct approaches: Honor prioritizes a sleek, compact design with flagship-tier performance, while Google focuses on software integration and a more traditional foldable form factor. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which foldable reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Honor Magic V Flip is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 delivers a noticeable edge in demanding tasks, and the 66W charging is significantly quicker than the Pixel Fold's wired charging. However, the Pixel Fold's software experience and potentially longer software support are compelling advantages.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic V Flip Google Pixel Fold
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, June 132023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, June 19Available. Released 2023, June 27
Body
BuildAluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 167.3 x 75.6 x 7.2 mm Folded: 86.5 x 75.6 x 14.9 mmUnfolded: 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8 mmFolded: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)283 g (9.98 oz)
 -IPX8 water resistant
Display
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1840 x 2208 pixels (~378 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 183.3 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, Dolby Vision, BT.2020, 3000 nits (peak)Foldable OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1450 nits (peak)
 -Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 5.8 inches, 1080 x 2092 pixels, 17.4:9 ratio, 408 ppi 1200 nits (HBM), 1550 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 14, MagicOS 8Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10.8 MP, f/3.1, 112mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 10.8 MP, f/2.2, 121˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.25µm
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Cover camera: 9.5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K, 1080p4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), gyro, accelerometer, proximity (ultrasonic), compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging66W wired, 45% in 15 min 5W reverse wiredWired, PD3.0 Wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 4800 mAhLi-Po 4821 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Champagne, GreenPorcelain, Obsidian
ModelsLRA-AN00G9FPL
PriceAbout 640 EUR€ 670.87 / $ 389.26 / £ 899.99

Honor Magic V Flip

  • Superior processing power with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Significantly faster 66W wired charging
  • Potentially more compact and portable design

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Software update commitment may be shorter than Google

Google Pixel Fold

  • Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
  • Google’s renowned computational photography
  • Wireless charging convenience

  • Tensor G2 offers less raw processing power
  • Slower wired charging speeds

Display Comparison

While both devices feature foldable OLED displays, specifics are limited in the provided data. The Honor Magic V Flip likely benefits from its smaller form factor, potentially leading to a higher pixel density. The Pixel Fold, with its larger overall size, may offer a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate data is notable; however, both are expected to feature adaptive refresh rates to balance smoothness and battery life. Color accuracy will likely be excellent on both, given OLED technology, but the Pixel Fold’s tuning is known for its natural color reproduction.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are missing, but we can infer some differences. Google’s Pixel phones are renowned for their computational photography prowess, leveraging the Tensor G2’s image signal processor. The Pixel Fold will likely excel in dynamic range and low-light performance through software processing. The Honor Magic V Flip, relying on the Snapdragon’s ISP, will likely offer a more traditional camera experience. Without sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Google’s software advantage is a significant factor. The absence of information regarding OIS is also a key omission.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Magic V Flip’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a proven performer, boasting a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz. This contrasts with the Google Pixel Fold’s Tensor G2 (5nm). While the Tensor G2 features newer Cortex-X1 cores clocked slightly higher at 2.85 GHz, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s architecture and 4nm process generally translate to superior sustained performance and thermal efficiency. The Snapdragon’s Adreno GPU will also provide a more substantial graphical advantage. The Pixel Fold’s Tensor G2 excels in AI and machine learning tasks, but for raw processing power, the Honor has the edge.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not provided for either device. However, the Honor Magic V Flip’s 66W wired charging is a clear advantage. Achieving 45% charge in 15 minutes is significantly faster than the Pixel Fold’s unspecified wired charging speed (PD3.0). The Pixel Fold does offer wireless charging, a convenience the Honor lacks. The smaller size of the Magic V Flip may necessitate a smaller battery, but the faster charging mitigates this concern. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns and software optimization.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic V Flip if you need a highly portable foldable with exceptional processing power for gaming or demanding applications, and value rapid charging speeds. Buy the Google Pixel Fold if you prioritize Google’s clean Android experience, guaranteed software updates, and a more conventional foldable design with a larger cover screen for everyday usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Honor Magic V Flip get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known for its thermal efficiency, especially compared to earlier Snapdragon generations. While some heat is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the 4nm process and Honor’s cooling solution should prevent significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance. However, sustained peak performance will still generate heat.
❓ How does the Google Tensor G2's AI capabilities translate to real-world benefits on the Pixel Fold?
The Tensor G2 excels in on-device AI processing, enhancing features like voice recognition, translation, and camera performance. Expect faster and more accurate voice typing, improved noise cancellation during calls, and enhanced image processing for features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. These improvements are subtle but contribute to a smoother and more intelligent user experience.
❓ Is the cover screen on the Pixel Fold usable for most daily tasks, or is it too narrow?
The Pixel Fold's cover screen is wider than many competitors, making it significantly more practical for quick tasks like replying to messages, checking notifications, and controlling music playback without unfolding the device. While not as spacious as a traditional smartphone screen, it offers a usable experience for everyday interactions.