Honor Launches World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone With 4.1mm Thickness

Chinese smartphone brand Honor has launched the Magic V5, the world’s thinnest foldable phone, measuring just 4.1 millimeters thick when unfolded. This achievement is due to advancements in its silicon-carbon battery technology, which stacks cells at a mere 0.2 millimeters thick, making the battery as slim as a bank card. The Magic V5 is also notably lightweight, weighing 217 grams, which is less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The development of the Magic V5 is the result of significant investment in research and development. Honor’s product expert on foldables, Hope Cao, highlighted that the company has invested 1 billion Chinese yuan ($139 million) specifically into researching its silicon-carbon battery technology. Honor consistently allocates over 10% of its total revenue towards R&D annually, underscoring its commitment to innovation.

Foldable phones represent a niche but rapidly growing segment of the smartphone market. The popularity of book-type foldables, which open along the longer edge to create a larger screen, aligns with consumer preferences for versatile devices suitable for both work and entertainment. The rise of "short dramas," designed for phone viewing and easy sharing on social media, further drives demand for larger displays.

Honor, once a budget smartphone division of Huawei, was spun off due to U.S. sanctions in late 2020. Despite this setback, Honor has managed to secure a 13% share of China’s smartphone market in the first quarter of 2025, positioning itself closely behind major competitors such as Vivo, Oppo, and Apple. The company is now venturing into the premium market, aiming for growth through higher-value phone sales rather than increased volume of cheaper models.

However, the return of Huawei to the smartphone market in 2023 poses a challenge for Honor. Huawei’s resurgence, along with Xiaomi, has put significant pressure on both Honor and Apple. Local smartphones are increasingly offering designs and features that rival Apple’s iPhone, which is struggling to keep up. Apple plans to release a book-style foldable phone in 2026, but its AI services in China face regulatory scrutiny, with Alibaba as its local partner.

AI is becoming a critical differentiator for Chinese smartphones, including those from Honor. The company is exploring on-device AI services, which run directly on the phone rather than relying on cloud computing. Honor aims to develop AI capabilities for its product lineup over the next five years, with plans to expand into PCs, tablets, and wearables. This strategic focus on AI and innovation positions Honor to compete effectively in the evolving smartphone market.