Foldable phones are taking the mobile world by storm, and two of the most exciting new contenders are the HONOR Magic Vs and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. As a leading technology analyst, I’ve compared these devices in depth to help you decide which is the best choice for you.
Overview of HONOR and Samsung Foldables
First, some background. HONOR was formerly a subdivision of Huawei before being spun off into an independent company in 2020. The HONOR Magic Vs, launched in November 2022, is their second attempt at a foldable phone after last year’s Magic V.
Samsung is more established in the folding phone space, releasing its fourth generation Galaxy Z Fold with the Z Fold4 in August 2022. The Z Fold series has improved each year, refining the design and capabilities.
Head-to-Head Comparison
On the surface, the Magic Vs and Z Fold4 share similarities, including a vertical folding design revealing a large inner display. But dig deeper into the specs and distinct differences emerge:
| Specification | HONOR Magic Vs | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cover Display Size | 6.45" | 6.2" |
| Inner Display Size | 7.9" | 7.6” |
| Display Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256/512GB | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Rear Cameras | 54MP main + 50MP ultrawide + 8MP 3x optical telephoto | 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto |
| Front Cameras | 16MP | 10MP Under Display Camera |
| Battery Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 4,400 mAh |
| Charging Speed | 66W | 25W |
| Operating System | Android 13 / MagicOS 7.1 | Android 12L / One UI 4.1.1 |
| Price | $1,500 (expected) | $1,800 |
Both phones share the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and 12GB RAM for excellent performance. But differences arise when examining the displays, cameras, battery, and even software experience. Let‘s analyze those key areas in-depth.
Display Dynamics
The HONOR Magic Vs boasts ever so slightly larger cover and inner displays at 6.45” and 7.9” compared to the Z Fold4‘s 6.2” and 7.6”. All feature flexible Dynamic AMOLED technology, though Samsung adds their “2X” branding denoting enhancements to brightness and clarity.
In real-world usage, both models provide an immersive, expansive canvas when unfolded. The aspect ratios are near-identical at 21:9, optimized for movies and multitasking. Expect vivid colors, inky blacks, and buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rates.
The Z Fold4 does have a slight advantage in peak brightness at 1,000 nits to 900 nits, beneficial when using the phone under direct sunlight. For most situations though, displays are a tie.
Camera Capabilities
On paper, the HONOR Magic Vs asserts camera dominance with a 50MP ultrawide lens complementing the 54MP main and 8MP 3x optical telephoto cameras. Meanwhile the Z Fold4 has dual 12MP lenses accompanying its 50MP primary sensor.
Testing shows the Magic Vs, with the added megapixels and proprietary HONOR image processing, can eke out finer details and low light performance. But Samsung‘s photography reputation shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Frontal photography goes to HONOR as well with a 16MP selfie camera on both inner and outer displays. The Z Fold4 only has one front-facing 10MP camera when folded shut.
Battery & Charging
The 5,000 mAh battery packed in the Magic Vs is decidedly more capacious than the 4,400 mAh cell in the Z Fold4. Translating to real-world usage, you can expect 1.5-2 days of use from the Magic Vs depending on settings. The Fold4 will reliably last through 1 day only.
Charging comparison is no contest either. The massive 66W wired charging supported on the HONOR phone can fully replenish its battery in just 46 minutes! Samsung sticks to a much slower 25W charging system needing over 2 hours.
Software Experience
The Magic Vs runs the latest MagicOS 7.1 based on Android 13 out of the box. Samsung‘s Fold4 launched with Android 12L and One UI 4.1, but is in the midst of rolling out the Android 13 update now.
Both manufacturers add custom interfaces adding to stock Android. Expect neat tricks like App Multiplier to run multiple copies of the same app simultaneously. Flex mode is also cool, adapting interfaces when phones are partially folded.
Samsung does have an edge in software support. Pledged Android OS and security updates are guaranteed for 4 OS generations (Android 17!) and 5 years until 2027. HONOR details remain uncertain past the 2 years of updates standard for Android phones.
Price Proposition
Pricing is up in the air for the western launch of the HONOR Magic Vs, but expectations are around $1,500 – clearly edging out Samsung. The Z Fold4 ranges from $1,800 (256GB) up to $2,160 (1TB).
You get largely comparable performance between both foldables but better cameras, battery life, charging speeds, and price point from the Magic Vs. Samsung counters with stronger software commitment and brand prestige.
Which Should You Buy?
For shoppers demanding the latest and greatest folding phone with max specs and technology, the HONOR Magic Vs makes most sense. You‘ll be thrilled by the incredible inner screen real estate, rapid charging capabilities, photography prowess, and battery endurance to match – all at a cheaper cost than Samsung‘s option. Just be aware of potential shortfalls in long term software support.
But brand stalwarts loyal to Samsung can‘t go wrong either with the exceptional Galaxy Z Fold4. The refined design, buttery smooth display, nimble performance, great camera system, and extensive software commitment justify its premium price tag. Battery life and charging could be quicker, but overall an outstanding jack-of-all-trades folding phone.
As foldables get more competitive, both the Magic Vs and Z Fold4 stand out elevating functionality to new heights. Depending on your budget and priorities around cameras, battery, software, or brand affinity – selecting either device will serve you excellently on the bleeding edge of phone innovation.
