The flip phone form factor is back, and both Huawei and Honor are vying for dominance with the nova Flip and Magic V Flip 2 respectively. While both offer a nostalgic design with modern features, they diverge significantly in internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and charging to help you choose the right foldable for your lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Honor Magic V Flip 2 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and 1786 nit display significantly outperform the Huawei nova Flip’s Kirin 8000. However, the nova Flip presents a compelling value proposition if budget is a primary concern.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | 5G | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 05 | 2025, August 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 10 | Available. Released 2025, August 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 169.8 x 75.4 x 6.9 mmFolded: 87.6 x 75.4 x 15.1 mm | Unfolded: 167.1 x 75.6 x 6.9 mm Folded: 86.2 x 75.6 x 15.5 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g or 199 g (6.88 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1136 x 2690 pixels (~421 ppi density) | 1232 x 2868 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~458 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.94 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz | Foldable LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 4320Hz PWM, HDR, Dolby Vision, BT.2020, 5000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Kirin 8000 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 750 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 4.2 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) | 200 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.0, 120˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide) | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 4K, 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, ASHA |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), gyro, accelerometer, proximity (ultrasonic), compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 40 min
5W reverse wired | 80W wired, 100% in 42 min
50W wireless
5W reverse wired
Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4400 mAh | Si/C Li-Po 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Pink, White, Black | Purple, Silver, Gray, Blue |
| Models | PSD-AL00 | CLE-AN00 |
| Price | About 680 EUR | - |
Huawei nova Flip
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Stylish flip phone design
- 66W fast wired charging
- Older Kirin 8000 chipset limits performance
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
- No wireless charging support
Honor Magic V Flip 2
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
- Exceptionally bright 1786 nit display
- 80W wired and 50W wireless charging
- Higher price tag
- May be less accessible in certain markets
- Premium build may be more prone to cosmetic damage
Display Comparison
The Honor Magic V Flip 2 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1786 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight, a crucial advantage for outdoor use. While the nova Flip’s display specifications are not provided, the Magic V Flip 2’s brightness level suggests a higher-quality panel. The Magic V Flip 2’s likely use of LTPO technology further enhances efficiency, dynamically adjusting the refresh rate to conserve battery life. The absence of LTPO details for the nova Flip suggests potential compromises in power consumption.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the positioning of the Magic V Flip 2 as a premium device, it likely features a more advanced camera system with larger sensors and improved image processing. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either phone makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. The focus should be on the main sensor resolution and aperture, as these directly impact image quality. We can assume the Magic V Flip 2 will offer a more refined and versatile camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Magic V Flip 2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the Huawei nova Flip’s Kirin 8000 (7nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.3 GHz, delivers substantially faster processing speeds. The 4nm fabrication process also provides superior thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Kirin 8000, while capable, will struggle to match the Snapdragon’s sustained performance, particularly in graphically intensive tasks. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s integrated Adreno GPU also offers a significant advantage in gaming performance.
Battery Life
The Honor Magic V Flip 2 demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 12 hours and 43 minutes. While the nova Flip’s battery capacity is unknown, the Magic V Flip 2’s score indicates efficient power management. Charging speeds also differ significantly: the Magic V Flip 2 supports 80W wired charging (100% in 42 minutes), 50W wireless charging, and 5W reverse charging. The nova Flip offers 66W wired charging (100% in 40 minutes) and 5W reverse wired charging, lacking wireless charging altogether. The Magic V Flip 2’s wireless charging capability and faster wired charging provide greater convenience and flexibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova Flip if you need a stylish, functional flip phone at a more accessible price point and aren't heavily reliant on demanding applications or extended gaming sessions. Buy the Honor Magic V Flip 2 if you prioritize top-tier performance, a stunning display with exceptional brightness, and faster charging – including wireless capabilities – and are willing to pay a premium for these features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 8000 in the Huawei nova Flip struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Kirin 8000 is a capable chipset, but it will likely exhibit noticeable frame drops and throttling in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, especially at higher settings. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Honor Magic V Flip 2 offers a significantly smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Huawei nova Flip a dealbreaker?
If wireless charging is a convenience you rely on, the absence of this feature on the nova Flip is a significant drawback. The Honor Magic V Flip 2 offers 50W wireless charging, providing a convenient alternative to wired charging.
❓ How does the hinge durability compare between the two devices?
While long-term durability testing is required for a definitive answer, both Huawei and Honor have experience with foldable devices. Honor has made claims regarding the hinge durability of the Magic V Flip 2, stating it can withstand over 400,000 folds. Without similar data for the nova Flip, it's difficult to directly compare, but both should offer reasonable durability for everyday use.
❓ Will the Huawei nova Flip receive long-term software support and updates?
Huawei's software update track record has been inconsistent due to geopolitical factors. While the nova Flip will likely receive initial updates, long-term support may be limited compared to the Honor Magic V Flip 2, which benefits from Qualcomm's broader software ecosystem.
