My first iPhone was over half a decade ago. The iPhone delivered great pictures, played dozens of apps, and lasted long. At the time, the iPhone X I bought was groundbreaking: The nearly edge-to-edge screen was a delight to use and Face ID made digital payments simple.Since then, my screen time has increased. Reading books, watching TV shows, and doing the crossword on my phone.
My handheld was more time-consuming than my computer. Myopia may have worsened because of all that. Smartphones’ evolving role in my life required a larger screen size than the iPhone.
Apple’s new features were uninspiring
Upgraded iPhones have better cameras and performance. My favorite feature of the iPhone 13 is its better photography system. However, the model I own today is fundamentally the same as the one I used years ago. My iPhone tends to be upgraded every two years, so I was less inclined to spend another $1,000 to upgrade it.
I couldn’t carry an iPad and a Kindle everywhere I traveled.C To avoid switching devices, I often used my iPhone for tasks reserved for the iPad.
Similarly, the “max” iPhone seemed uncomfortably large, without offering much in return. Larger displays were not supported by Apple’s mobile software.
Smartphones that fold were intriguing to me
It came as no surprise to me that phone manufacturers were making advances with folding displays. The screen of a typical handheld unfolds into the size of a tablet.
I’ve had a few phones over the years, but the tech a couple of years ago was not convincing enough to replace my iPhone. The designs they created were too heavy, fragile, and thick.
Since Apple decided not to bring AI to its one-year-old iPhone 15 models earlier this year, I had to find an alternative.
Honor, a Chinese phone brand, released its Magic V3, the thinnest and lightest folding phone. Even though it cost £1,699, around $2,205, more than twice the price of my iPhone 15 in 2023, I bought it.
Model thinness appeals to me
Even though it cost over £500 more than what I had previously spent on a new phone, I now spend so much time on it.
A book-style phone that unfolds horizontally. Honor’s phone isn’t officially available in the US, but it’s sold in Europe and the UK at Three and Vodafone stores. European market share for Honor doubled this year.
My first impression of the model was its thinness. With its folding design, ergonomics were not compromised.
Even when folded, it’s 9.3mm thick, far slimmer than other foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Fold 6, which measures 12.1mm. Magic V3 measures 4.4mm thick when unfolded, half the width of iPhone 16.
Honor Magic V3 has a tall 6.43-inch screen that dominates the front, as with any other smartphone. Most tasks, such as calling or texting, can be completed on this screen.
It folds into an 8-inch wide display when I need extra space to read an article or watch Netflix. Whenever I click on the outer screen, whatever app or content I am browsing expands automatically.
Despite folding, the panel does not show any creases. The Android-based software allows the company to take advantage of the larger screen. My notes and web browser can be stacked side-by-side while I research for a vacation.
It’s as easy to multitask on my iPad as it is on my desktop computer. Even the bottom screen works as a large touch keyboard, making it a mini laptop.
Multiple devices are no longer necessary for me
My data was easy to migrate onto an Android, and now that iMessage is supported, I haven’t been missing out on messaging. Previously, I backed up my media using Google Photos
Eventually, the Magic V3 replaced my Kindle. While reading, I’m able to disconnect from notifications with my phone’s e-book mode, which has eye-friendly tools. Dedicated e-book mode offers a monochrome filter throughout the software, making reading books easier. Even prolonged blue-light consumption is reduced, preventing headaches.
Honor Magic V3 could be the first of many folding smartphones to challenge the smartphone status quo.
The software is not yet free of flaws. The phone is packed with a lot more moving parts than your average phone, which makes me worry about its long-term durability. Even though it’s the slimmest foldable, it’s still a bit bulkier than a typical smartphone. Although it takes a bit of effort, I believe it’s worth it since it replaces three devices.
As someone who struggled with justifying carrying multiple screens, I recommend consolidating them.
