Honor Magic V5 in UAE arrives in UAE; Price, pre-order dates revealed

Dubai: In an increasingly competitive smartphone market, manufacturers are launching new devices at a relentless pace, and Honor is no exception.

The company has officially announced the availability of its new foldable smartphone, the Honor Magic V5, for pre-order in the UAE, with a premium price of Dh6,499.

The move reflects an industry-wide scramble to differentiate products, with artificial intelligence now at the heart of the battle.

The smartphone market has seen a rapid acceleration in its product cycles, particularly among leading brands, which are no longer content with a single flagship launch per year.

The push is driven by a desire to integrate the latest advancements in AI and other technologies as quickly as possible.

As Honor's President for the Middle East and Africa, Ingmar Wang said, the Magic V5 is more than just a flagship; it is a statement of intent to “unfold new possibilities" and encourage consumers to switch from traditional bar phones.

Honor’s strategy with the Magic V5 centres on both durability and intelligence. The device’s impressive specifications include a new hinge that has been stress-tested to withstand 500,000 folds and a world-record-setting feat of lifting a 104kg weight.

It also features an IP58 and IP59 rating for water and dust resistance, aiming to quell lingering doubts about the long-term reliability of foldable screens.

In the so-called ‘AI race,’ Honor has packed the device with features to keep pace with its rivals. It comes with Google Gemini pre-installed, accessible via a ‘Tap Tap’ gesture on the back, and the company's own ‘Magic Sidebar’ which provides AI-powered suggestions. The camera system, a critical selling point for premium phones, includes a 64MP telephoto lens with 100x digital zoom, further enhanced by AI algorithms.

However, the question remains whether these features can justify the high price point for consumers. With the UAE market already saturated with high-end devices from competitors like Samsung and Apple, Honor is offering an extensive pre-order package to sweeten the deal. Early buyers will receive a bundle of products and services, including a Bose speaker and an extended VIP care plan, valued at over Dh3,600.

While the phone’s technical prowess is undeniable, its success will depend on whether consumers see a compelling reason to leap a foldable, especially at a time when budget-conscious purchases are becoming more common. The flurry of AI-enhanced devices entering the market means that consumer expectations are rising, and companies must continuously innovate to stay ahead.