Honor Magic V vs. Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Honor Magic V and Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate represent drastically different approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The Magic V prioritizes innovative form factor and a balanced experience with its foldable display, while the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is laser-focused on delivering the ultimate mobile gaming experience. This comparison dissects their core strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user seeking a versatile and eye-catching device, the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, and its gaming-centric features are unmatched. While the Magic V's foldable screen is impressive, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate delivers a more refined and powerful overall experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic V Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China
Launch
Announced2022, January 102023, April 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 18Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 160.4 x 141.1 x 6.7 mmFolded: 160.4 x 72.7 x 14.3 mm173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight288 g / 293 g (10.16 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 -Built-in motorized cooling air vent (AeroActive Portal) IP54 water resistant 2" OLED display (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1984 x 2272 pixels (~381 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size7.9 inches, 200.5 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 Cover display: OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 6.45 inches, 1080 x 2560 pixels, 431 ppi-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, Magic UI 6Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single42 MP, f/2.4, (wide)-
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF 50 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (wide), PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 122˚, (ultrawide)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaPanorama, HDR
Single42 MP, f/2.4, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 29mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 50% in 15 min 5W reverse wired65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4750 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsTitanium Silver, Black, Burnt OrangeStorm White
ModelsMGI-AN00-
PriceAbout 1400 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 131h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1325105 (v9) GeekBench: 5139 (v5.5), 5567 (v6) GFXBench: 107fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor Magic V

  • Innovative foldable design offers a unique user experience.
  • 66W fast charging provides quick power-ups.
  • Potentially more versatile for productivity tasks due to larger screen.

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset is less powerful and efficient than the Gen 2.
  • Foldable display may be more prone to damage.
  • Crease in the display can be distracting.

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers exceptional performance and efficiency.
  • Advanced cooling system prevents thermal throttling during gaming.
  • Gaming-centric features like AirTriggers enhance the gaming experience.

  • Less innovative design compared to the foldable Magic V.
  • May be bulkier and heavier than traditional smartphones.
  • Camera performance details are limited.

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate boasts a maximum brightness of 1095 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Honor Magic V’s display specs aren’t provided, foldable displays generally prioritize flexibility over peak brightness. The ROG Phone’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio contributes to vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Magic V’s foldable nature introduces a crease, a trade-off for the larger screen real estate, while the ROG Phone offers a more traditional, uninterrupted viewing experience. The ROG Phone’s high refresh rate (likely 165Hz, based on previous models) is geared towards smooth gaming, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the Magic V.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature capable photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate likely prioritizes image quality in well-lit conditions, while the Magic V may focus on versatility with its foldable form factor potentially enabling unique shooting angles. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively assess image quality. The ROG Phone’s image processing is likely tuned for vibrant colors and sharp details, catering to gaming aesthetics, while the Magic V may aim for a more natural look. The absence of specific details necessitates a reliance on brand reputation; Asus generally delivers competitive camera performance in its ROG line.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) chipset represents a substantial leap in performance and efficiency over the Honor Magic V’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm). The Gen 2 features a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to the Gen 1’s 3.0 GHz Cortex-X2, resulting in faster single-core performance. The ROG Phone also benefits from updated Cortex-A715 and A710 cores, alongside more efficient A510 cores, improving multi-core performance and power efficiency. This translates to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The ROG Phone’s advanced cooling system, a hallmark of the series, further enhances sustained performance, a critical advantage for demanding games.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate charges at 65W with PD3.0 and QC5 support, reaching 100% in 42 minutes. The Honor Magic V charges at 66W, achieving 50% charge in 15 minutes. While the Magic V appears faster initially, the ROG Phone’s complete charge time is only marginally longer. Both devices offer 5W/10W reverse wired charging, useful for topping up accessories. The ROG Phone’s larger battery capacity (likely around 6000mAh, based on previous models) combined with the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset likely contributes to its comparable endurance rating.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic V if you prioritize a unique, foldable form factor and a more conventional smartphone experience with a focus on productivity and multimedia consumption. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate if you are a dedicated mobile gamer who demands the highest possible performance, advanced cooling, and specialized gaming features like AirTriggers and a high refresh rate display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate's cooling system significantly reduce thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate features an advanced cooling system, including a vapor chamber and strategically placed heat dissipation materials. This system effectively manages heat generated by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, minimizing thermal throttling and maintaining peak performance for extended gaming periods. This is a key advantage over the Honor Magic V, which lacks such a dedicated cooling solution.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate impact gaming frame rates compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Honor Magic V?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a substantial performance uplift over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, particularly in GPU performance. This translates to significantly higher and more stable frame rates in demanding mobile games on the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. Expect a noticeable improvement in graphics fidelity and smoother gameplay, especially in titles like Genshin Impact and PUBG.
❓ Is the crease in the Honor Magic V's foldable display noticeable during everyday use?
Yes, the crease in the Honor Magic V's foldable display is visible and can be felt when running your finger across the screen. While many users adapt to it over time, it remains a physical characteristic of foldable displays. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate avoids this issue with its traditional, flat display.
❓ What gaming-specific features does the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate offer that the Honor Magic V lacks?
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is packed with gaming-centric features, including AirTriggers (shoulder buttons for customizable controls), a high refresh rate display for smoother visuals, and dedicated gaming software for performance optimization and customization. The Honor Magic V lacks these specialized features, focusing instead on a more general-purpose smartphone experience.