Honor Magic Vs Ultimate vs Tecno Phantom V Fold: The Ultimate Foldable Face-Off

The foldable phone market is heating up, and these two contenders – the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate and the Tecno Phantom V Fold – are vying for your attention. Both offer the allure of a compact smartphone that unfolds into a tablet-sized display, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate edges out the Tecno Phantom V Fold thanks to its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, faster charging, and generally more refined software experience. While the Phantom V Fold boasts impressive battery life, the Magic Vs Ultimate offers a more powerful and polished package.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic Vs Ultimate Tecno Phantom V Fold
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 41LTE
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSASA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, November 232023, February 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 30Available. Released 2023, April 12
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, magnesium alloy frame, titanium alloy folding mechanismGlass front folded (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 160.3 x 141.5 x 6.1 mmFolded: 160.3 x 72.6 x 12.9 mmUnfolded: 159.4 x 140.4 x 6.9 mmFolded: 159.4 x 72 x 14.2-14.5 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight265 g (9.35 oz)299 g (10.55 oz)
Display
Resolution1984 x 2272 pixels (~382 ppi density)2000 x 2296 pixels (~388 ppi density)
Size7.9 inches, 199.5 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)7.85 inches, 196.9 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+, 800 nitsFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1100 nits (peak)
 Stylus support Cover display: OLED (nano glass-ceramic cover), 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits, 6.45 inches, 1080 x 2560 pixels, 431 ppiCover display: LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1100 nits (peak), Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 6.42 inches, 1080 x 2550 pixels, 431 PPI
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.20 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MC10
OSAndroid 12, MagicOS 7Android 13, HiOS 13 Fold
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm Cover camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple54 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, PDAF 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps (10-bit), 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm Cover camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio, recording
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2USB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired45W wired, 40% in 15 min, 100% in 55 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGold, BlackBlack, White
ModelsFRI-AN10AD10
PriceAbout 1500 EURAbout 1030 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 92h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 999348 (v9) GeekBench: 3963 (v5.1), 3748 (v6) GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor Magic Vs Ultimate

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Faster Charging (66W)
  • More Refined Software
  • Generally Better Camera Quality
  • Premium Build Quality

  • Potentially Higher Price
  • Battery life not as exceptional as Phantom V Fold

Tecno Phantom V Fold

  • Exceptional Battery Life (92h Endurance Rating)
  • More Affordable
  • Large Display Area
  • Decent Camera System

  • Slightly Slower Performance (Dimensity 9000+)
  • Slower Charging (45W)
  • Software may lack polish
  • Build quality may not be as premium

Display Comparison

Both phones feature foldable AMOLED displays, but the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate is generally considered to have slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Phantom V Fold's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term and doesn't translate to a significantly better viewing experience in practice. The Magic Vs Ultimate's external display is also often praised for its usability.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a complex area. While both offer capable camera systems, the Magic Vs Ultimate generally produces more consistent and detailed images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Phantom V Fold's camera is decent, but lacks the refinement of the Honor's.

Performance

The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Tecno Phantom V Fold's Dimensity 9000+. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Honor device. Both phones handle everyday tasks with ease, but the Magic Vs Ultimate shines under heavier workloads.

Battery Life

The Tecno Phantom V Fold takes the crown in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 92 hours. The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate offers good battery life, but doesn't quite match the Phantom V Fold's longevity. However, the Magic Vs Ultimate's 66W charging is significantly faster than the Phantom V Fold's 45W.

Buying Guide

The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate is ideal for users prioritizing performance, a premium feel, and a more established brand reputation. The Tecno Phantom V Fold is a compelling option for those seeking exceptional battery life and a more budget-friendly entry into the foldable space, though it may compromise slightly on overall performance and software polish.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which foldable phone is more durable?
The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate is generally considered to have a more robust hinge mechanism and overall build quality, though both devices are susceptible to damage like any foldable.
❓ Is the Tecno Phantom V Fold worth considering if I'm on a budget?
Absolutely. The Phantom V Fold offers excellent value for money, providing a foldable experience at a more accessible price point. Just be aware of the performance trade-offs compared to the Magic Vs Ultimate.