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| Honor also appears to be working on a more compact and wider foldable in the iPhone Ultra format. A leaker has revealed some specs and target price. |
With the foldable smartphone market heating up, Honor appears to be preparing a radical new device that could directly compete with Apple's anticipated iPhone Fold - and it might pack the biggest battery we've ever seen in a foldable.
The foldable smartphone landscape is shifting dramatically. While some industry observers have suggested that tall book-style foldables might be on their way out, the reality is far more nuanced. Yes, Samsung is changing course with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, adopting a more compact 16:9 format that opens to a 4:3 display, but that doesn't mean the end of an era - it signals evolution.
What's becoming increasingly clear is that nearly every major manufacturer is positioning itself to compete directly with Apple's first foldable, expected to debut in September. And Honor is the latest player to throw its hat into the ring with what could be one of the most impressive foldable devices of 2027.
The Shift to a Wider Format
According to a recent post on Weibo by the typically reliable leaker Digital Chat Station, Honor is working on a new foldable that abandons the traditional tall design in favor of a wider form factor. This device, which we're tentatively calling the "Honor Magic V Wide" (the actual name remains unconfirmed), represents a significant departure from Honor's previous foldable designs.
The move makes strategic sense. With Apple's first foldable expected to feature a wider display when opened, manufacturers are racing to ensure they have competitive offerings. Huawei already premiered this format with the Pura X Max, and Xiaomi is expected to follow suit with the Mix Fold 5. Now Honor is joining the party.
What We Know About Honor's Mystery Foldable
Digital Chat Station's leak reveals several intriguing details about this upcoming device:
Display Specifications: The Honor foldable will feature a roughly 7.6-inch flexible display when opened, paired with a 5.5-inch cover display. This aligns with what we'd expect from a device designed to compete with Apple's anticipated offering.
Next-Generation Processing: The device is expected to be equipped with a 2nm chip, likely the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. This would place it firmly in the next generation of Android flagship performance, though we likely won't see this device until 2027 - suggesting it could launch as the Honor Magic V7, following the recent global availability of the Honor Magic V6.
Radical Camera Redesign: Perhaps most visually striking is the shift away from the octagon camera layout that has become something of a Honor signature. Instead, the new device will feature a horizontal camera bar housing a 200-megapixel main camera with a large sensor and a periscope telephoto lens. This design change could give the device a distinctive look that sets it apart from competitors.
The Battery That Could Change Everything
Here's where things get truly interesting. Despite the smaller form factor compared to previous Honor foldables, the "Honor Magic V Wide" is expected to feature a battery exceeding 7,000 mAh. That would make it the largest battery in any foldable phone on the market in 2027, potentially giving it a significant advantage over competitors.
For context, the Honor Magic V6 launched with a 5,150mAh battery. A jump to over 7,000mAh would represent a massive 35% increase in capacity, all while fitting into a more compact chassis. If Honor can achieve this, it would address one of the primary concerns potential foldable buyers have: battery life.
Pricing and Positioning
According to comments on Digital Chat Station's post, Honor is targeting a starting price of 10,000 yuan (approximately €1,300 or US$1,480). This represents about a 1,000 yuan increase over the Honor Magic V6's launch price in China, positioning the device squarely in the premium segment.
While this pricing puts it in direct competition with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series and Apple's expected foldable, the massive battery and upgraded camera system could justify the premium. Honor appears to be betting that consumers will pay more for a device that addresses key pain points like battery anxiety.
Why This Matters for the Foldable Market
The foldable market is at a fascinating crossroads. While Apple's entry will undoubtedly accelerate mainstream adoption, Chinese manufacturers like Honor, Huawei, and Xiaomi are proving that they can compete on innovation and features. A 7,000mAh+ battery in a foldable would be a significant differentiator that even Apple might struggle to match out of the gate.
The shift toward wider displays also suggests that the industry is converging on what might become the standard foldable form factor. After years of experimentation, manufacturers seem to be settling on a design that offers a more natural aspect ratio for both productivity and entertainment.
What This Means for Consumers
If Honor can deliver on these specifications, the "Honor Magic V Wide" could be one of the most compelling foldable options in 2027. The combination of next-generation processing, a massive battery, and a redesigned camera system would address the three most common criticisms of current foldables: performance, battery life, and camera quality.
Of course, we're still talking about a device that's likely 12-18 months away. Plans can change, specifications can shift, and market conditions can evolve. But the direction Honor is heading is clear: they're betting big on the foldable form factor and positioning themselves to compete directly with Apple's first entry into the space.
Looking Ahead
As we approach what many are calling the "year of the foldable," the competition is heating up. Samsung is reinventing its approach, Apple is preparing its first offering, and Chinese manufacturers are pushing the envelope on battery technology and camera systems.
Honor's next move could be the most ambitious yet. Whether it's called the Honor Magic V7, Honor Magic V Wide, or something entirely different, one thing is clear: the foldable market is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
What features would convince you to switch to a foldable phone? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source : Digital Chat Station Weibo
