The Honor Magic V6, the latest iteration of the Chinese brand's foldable smartphone, offers a compelling alternative in the premium foldable market. Launched with a distinctive red suede-like back and a gold frame, the device maintains Honor's signature thin design while incorporating a prominent circular camera housing for its advanced lens system. Priced at £1,500 until August 2026, the cost will then rise significantly to £2,000, reflecting broader market trends in component pricing.
From a hardware perspective, the Magic V6 is a robust offering. It stands out as one of the slimmest and lightest foldable tablets available, featuring an IP68 water resistance rating, aligning it with top-tier conventional smartphones for durability. When closed, it functions seamlessly as a flagship Android phone with a crisp and smooth OLED display. Unfolded, the internal 7.95-inch OLED screen is ideal for media consumption and multitasking, though the central crease remains slightly more visible than some competitors, and the integrated screen film is prone to fingerprint smudges, necessitating regular cleaning.
Under the hood, the Magic V6 is equipped with Qualcomm's top-tier Android chip for 2026, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, placing its performance capabilities on par with leading slab phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Users should note that the default 'balanced' battery mode can restrict peak performance, particularly during demanding tasks such as gaming. Switching to the 'performance' mode unlocks its full potential, albeit with a potential impact on heat and battery longevity. Despite this, the device boasts a substantial battery, capable of lasting almost two full days with over eight hours of active screen use across various applications.
The software experience is delivered through Honor's MagicOS 10, built on last year's Android 16. While MagicOS has seen improvements, including enhanced customisation, advanced folding screen tools like the ability to split-screen three applications, and integrated AI features such as Google's Gemini, it lags behind rivals already running Android 17. Honor has pledged seven years of Android version and security updates for devices sold in Europe, a commitment that offers long-term value for consumers.
Ultimately, the Honor Magic V6 presents a powerful and aesthetically pleasing foldable device with impressive battery life and camera capabilities. However, potential buyers should be aware of the noticeable screen crease, the fingerprint-attracting screen film, and the software's slight delay in adopting the very latest Android version. The impending price increase in August 2026 also makes the current £1,500 price point a more attractive proposition for early adopters.