This article was originally published on Recharged.
Foldables are no longer niche tech curiosities; they’re serious productivity machines and lifestyle statements.
Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 continues its evolution as a premium “phone-plus-tablet” hybrid, while Honor’s Magic V5 brings blistering specs and value that challenge the established king of foldables.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 was released in South Africa in July 2025 while the Honor Magic V5 came out in October 2025. Catch up on the Z Fold 7 review here plus long-term update here and the Honor Magic V5 review here.
Here’s how these two book style foldables stack up side-by-side.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | Honor Magic V5 |
| Cover Display | 6.5″ Dynamic AMOLED, 2520×1080, 120Hz | 6.43″ AMOLED, 1060×2376, 120Hz |
| Main Display | 8.0″ Dynamic AMOLED, 2184×1968, 120Hz | 7.95″ LTPO AMOLED, 2172×2352, 120Hz |
| Dimensions (Folded) | 158.4Ă—72.8Ă—8.9mm | 156.8Ă—74.3Ă—9.0mm |
| Dimensions (Unfolded) | 158.4Ă—143.2Ă—4.2 mm | 156.8Ă—145.9Ă—4.3 mm |
| Weight | 215–218g | 226g |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 12 GB (up to 16 GB) | 16 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB/512 GB /1TB | 256 GB/512 GB/1TB |
| Durability | IPX8 (water resistant, no dust rating) | IP58/IP59 |
| Battery | 4400mAh | 5820 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 25W | up to 66W |
| Wireless Charging | up to 15W | up to 50W |
| Rear Cameras | 200 MP (main) + 12 MP (ultra-wide) + 10 MP (tele 3Ă— zoom) | 50 MP (wide) + 50 MP (ultra-wide) + 64 MP (tele) |
| Front/Selfie Cameras | 10 MP inner + 10 MP cover | 20 MP inner + 20 MP cover |
Displays and Design
Both devices offer large internal foldable screens with 120Hz refresh rates, making menus and animations feel buttery smooth. Samsung’s Z Fold 7 has a slightly larger internal panel and a marginally bigger cover display, but Honor’s V5 pushes slightly higher resolution and brightness tech on the main screen.
Performance
Both foldables use Snapdragon 8 Elite, with Samsung’s version tuned for its ecosystem and One UI workflows. Honor edges ahead on paper with higher base RAM configurations, which can help multitasking and heavy app loads.
Battery and Charging
Honor’s sizeable 5820mAh battery comfortably beats Samsung’s 4400mAh, and Honor also charges much faster both wired and wirelessly; great for heavy users who dislike waiting.
Camera Capabilities
Samsung’s Z Fold 7 leverages a 200MP main sensor, the same imaging hardware found in its Galaxy S-series flagships, making it a winner for serious photography, especially in varied lighting. Honor’s camera trio is strong but leans toward balanced versatility rather than outright megapixel count.
Durability
A standout point: Honor’s IP58 and IP59 ratings include dust and water resistance on both cover and inner displays, which is a rare in foldables, while Samsung has a water resistance but no official dust rating.
Which Phone is for You?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 remains the pick for users who want the most refined foldable experience, especially if camera prowess, ecosystem features (like One UI and multitasking tools), and a slightly larger internal canvas matter most.
On the other hand, the Honor Magic V5 aggressively challenges the Fold’s dominance with excellent battery life, fast charging, more RAM, strong all-around cameras, and better durability ratings at a friendlier price point.
Your choice really boils down to priorities: productivity and imaging excellence (Fold 7) versus endurance, durability, and value (Magic V5).
The Z Fold 7 512GB is currently listed at the time of publishing for R43 999 on Incredible Connection while the Honor Magic V5 512GB is listed for R32 899 on Vodacom.
0 Comments