Porsche Design Honor Magic V2 RSR review: The ultra-thin foldable gets turbocharged

The greatest hurdle to utilizing a foldable each day is the scale; though current-gen merchandise are lighter than their predecessors, they’re nonetheless considerably heavier and bulkier than common telephones. Honor addressed this difficulty with the Magic V2; the foldable weighs the identical because the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and at 9.9mm when folded, it’s simply as thick as a standard cellphone.The svelte design of the Magic V2 provides it an enormous benefit over its rivals, and having used the gadget for a month now, I can confidently say that more often than not, it would not even really feel like a foldable. Honor is leveraging the design as soon as once more to create the final word model of the Magic V2, the Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)This model of the Magic V2 was made in collaboration with Porsche Design, and whereas the basics are unchanged, there are many small tweaks that give the Magic V2 RSR its distinctive character. The key design trait is the flyline digital camera module that appears relatively distinctive; there’s a big glass panel that exhibits off the digital camera modules to a larger extent than the usual variant, and the body across the housing is made out of titanium.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The common Magic V2 appears good in its personal proper, however the V2 RSR has a bolder aesthetic due to the bigger digital camera housing. There are different design prospers; the flyline extends down the again — making a wedge down the center — and it is meant to evoke similarities to the bonnet of a Porsche 911.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Honor is promoting the foldable in a single coloration possibility, Agate Grey. Obviously, there is a Porsche homage right here as effectively, with the metallic gray coloration featured within the model’s sports activities automobiles. The coloration appears nice, and the matte texture could be very completely different to the frosted glass end that you simply get with the usual mannequin.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)You get a customized case within the package deal in addition to a stylus, and the latter is especially helpful as it really works on each the inside and outer screens. There’s no solution to tuck the stylus contained in the Magic V2 RSR — the cellphone simply is not massive sufficient — however the truth that you get the stylus within the field is a nifty addition.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The stylus has good strain sensitivity and allows you to take notes even when the display is off, identical to Samsung’s telephones. Other additions embody customized icons primarily based on Porsche’s automobiles, backgrounds, and sound results. Overall, there’s a lot to love on the design entrance, and when you’ve had your eye on the Magic V2, it’s best to contemplate getting this mannequin.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)While I just like the design adjustments, the big digital camera module on the again means the cellphone could be very wobbly when on a desk; attaching the case mitigates this to an extent, and I like to recommend utilizing it.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Otherwise, the Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR is an identical to the usual mannequin. You get the identical nice hinge that is made out of titanium, and it has a easy articulation and stays open at varied angles, and the digital camera interface splits into two, providing you with the flexibility to take attention-grabbing photographs. (Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)My favourite use case of the Magic V2 RSR is the Hover mode that principally turns the foldable into the most expensive clock on the planet. Just go away the inside display unfolded at an angle, and you will get a big clock as soon as the display switches off — just like StandBy mode in iOS 17. It’s a fairly nice function, and I used it on a regular basis.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The greatest a part of the Magic V2 RSR is the screens; you get a 6.43-inch outer display together with an enormous 7.92-inch inside display, and more often than not, I simply used the outer display to get again to messages and browse emails. The inside display is good to learn, and the thinness of the foldable makes an enormous distinction on this space — it is only a smidgen heavier than my Kindle Oasis whereas providing a bigger display. If you are planning on studying books, the e-book mode turns the display monochrome.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Both screens have 120Hz refresh, wonderful coloration vibrancy, and are among the many brightest on this class. What’s significantly attention-grabbing is that Honor is collaborating with Gameloft to allow 120fps gaming in Asphalt 9: Legends; the function is not reside as of writing, and is ready to be out there beginning February 19. I’ll replace this publish in per week to share extra on the way it holds up on this space.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Switching over to the {hardware}, the Magic V2 RSR makes use of the identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as the usual mannequin, and whereas I’d have appreciated to see the 8 Gen 3, Qualcomm’s older silicon nonetheless has quite a bit to supply. What’s nice in regards to the Magic V2 RSR is that it is bought in a single configuration with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, so there are completely no points right here.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The battery is one other space the place Honor completely does an awesome job; the Magic V2 RSR has a 5000mAh unit that lasts over a day with ease, and even with heavy use, I did not need to cost the foldable earlier than the top of the day. The 66W charging tech means a full cost takes a smidgen over an hour.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Honor hasn’t modified the cameras both, so that you get the identical 50MP fundamental digital camera, 50MP wide-angle lens, and 20MP zoom lens with 2.5x optical zoom. I’d have appreciated just a few tweaks across the digital camera UI — just like what you get on the Hasselblad-based OnePlus 12 — however the interface is an identical to the usual mannequin.That mentioned, you get terrific photographs in any state of affairs, and the Magic V2 RSR is true up there with the likes of the Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open. Shots are usually overly saturated at instances, however they give the impression of being nice however, and the foldable does an excellent job in low-light situations as effectively.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Coming to the software program, the Magic V2 RSR suffers from the identical points as the usual mannequin; it runs Android 13 out of the field, there aren’t many foldable-focused options out there, and the interface is in want of an overhaul. Other than that, it is respectable sufficient to make use of, and I’ve no points on this regard.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Honor hasn’t shared what the Magic V2 RSR will probably be out there for — that info is ready to be revealed at Mobile World Congress. That mentioned, the cellphone retails for 15,999 RMB in China, or the equal of $2,225. Considering the usual model of the Magic V2 prices €1,999 ($2,132) in international markets, it is secure to imagine that the V2 RSR will probably be nearer to €2,299 ($2,475) as soon as it begins hitting cabinets outdoors China.That’s some huge cash, however you are additionally getting what’s arguably the most effective foldables as we speak. The Magic V2 is a good cellphone in and of itself, and the Porsche Design additions take it to the following degree.