Honor Magic V2 vs Xiaomi Mix Fold 3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, and the Honor Magic V2 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 represent the cutting edge. Both devices leverage the power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but diverge in their approach to display technology, battery optimization, and charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly brighter display (1277 nits vs 933 nits) and faster charging (67W wired, 50W wireless) provide a more premium and convenient experience, offsetting the slightly shorter active battery life.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic V2 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3
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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, July 122023, August 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 27Available. Released 2023, August 14
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, magnesium alloy frame, titanium alloy folding mechanismGlass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or aramid fiber back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.7 x 145.4 x 4.7 mm or 4.8 mmFolded: 156.7 x 74.1 x 9.9 mm or 10.1 mmUnfolded: 161.2 x 143.3 x 5.3 mm Folded: 161.2 x 73.5 x 10.9 mm
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight231 g or 237 g (8.15 oz)255 g or 259 g (8.99 oz)
Display
Resolution2156 x 2344 pixels (~402 ppi density)1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)
Size7.92 inches, 201.6 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak)Foldable LTPO OLED+, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz (INTL) / 1x3.36 GHz (CN) Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) - IntlQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) - ChinaQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, MagicOS 8Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesMulti-zone Laser AF (8x8 dToF), color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 10 MP, f/2.9, 115mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF, OIS 20 MP, f/2.4, 62mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2.5x optical zoom, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm (ultrawide), AF-
Video4K@30/60fps (10-bit), 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+, OIS8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, Dolby Vision HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm Cover camera: 20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band (tri-band after future SW update)
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 40 min 50W wireless, 100% in 55 min
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silk Black, Silk Purple, GoldBlack, Gold
ModelsVER-AN10, VER-N492308CPXD0C
Price$ 850.00 / £ 849.00 / € 784.31About 1150 EUR
SAR EU0.85 W/kg (head)     1.29 W/kg (body)-

Honor Magic V2

  • Potentially lighter and slimmer design
  • Competitive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Respectable battery life (10:35h active use)

  • Lower peak display brightness (933 nits)
  • Slower charging speeds (66W wired, 5W reverse)
  • Limited camera information

Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

  • Significantly brighter display (1277 nits)
  • Faster wired and wireless charging (67W/50W)
  • Potentially more versatile camera system

  • Likely heavier and bulkier design
  • May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Higher price point (potentially)

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts a substantial advantage in display brightness, reaching a measured 1277 nits compared to the Honor Magic V2’s 933 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both utilize foldable OLED panels, the higher peak brightness of the Mix Fold 3 suggests a more advanced panel technology or calibration. Both are likely to employ LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, conserving battery, but Xiaomi’s panel is demonstrably brighter. Bezels are comparable, but the brightness difference is the key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Context data is limited regarding camera specifics. However, given Xiaomi’s history, the Mix Fold 3 likely prioritizes a versatile camera system with a focus on computational photography. The Honor Magic V2, while likely capable, may lean towards a more natural image processing style. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. We can assume both will offer multi-camera setups, but the Mix Fold 3’s brand reputation suggests a more feature-rich camera experience.

Performance

Both the Honor Magic V2 (International variant) and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). However, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 consistently uses the SM8550-AC variant, while the Honor Magic V2 offers both SM8550-AB (International) and SM8550-AC (China) options. The CPU configurations are nearly identical, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core, A715 and A710 performance cores, and A510 efficiency cores. The slight clock speed difference (3.19 GHz vs 3.36 GHz) in the International Honor variant is unlikely to translate to a noticeable real-world performance difference. Thermal management will be crucial; the larger chassis of the Mix Fold 3 *may* offer slightly better sustained performance under heavy load, but this requires independent testing.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic V2 achieves an active use battery score of 10:35h, while the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 has an endurance rating of 117h. While these are different metrics, the Mix Fold 3’s endurance rating suggests a longer overall battery life, despite the Honor’s respectable active use time. The Mix Fold 3 also offers significantly faster charging: 67W wired (0-100% in 40 minutes) and 50W wireless (0-100% in 55 minutes) compared to the Honor’s 66W wired and 5W reverse wired. The addition of wireless charging on the Mix Fold 3 is a significant convenience factor.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic V2 if you prioritize a lighter, slimmer foldable design and are willing to trade off some display brightness and charging speed. Buy the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, faster charging – including wireless – and a more robust overall feature set, even if it means a slightly bulkier device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3's wireless charging significantly impact daily usability?
Yes, the 50W wireless charging on the Mix Fold 3 is a substantial convenience feature absent on the Honor Magic V2. It allows for topping up the battery without the hassle of cables, making it ideal for users who frequently travel or prefer a clutter-free setup. The 55-minute full charge time is also competitive.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the Honor Magic V2 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The 344-nit difference (1277 vs 933) is significant, especially when viewing content outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s brighter display will offer a more vibrant and readable experience in these conditions.
❓ Which phone is better suited for gaming, considering both use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2?
While both phones utilize the same chipset, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s potentially larger chassis could offer better thermal dissipation, leading to more sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. However, this requires independent thermal testing to confirm.
❓ How does the reverse wireless charging on the Honor Magic V2 compare to the lack of it on the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3?
The Honor Magic V2's 5W reverse wireless charging is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. However, its slow speed limits its practicality. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3's lack of this feature isn't a major drawback for most users.