After entering the arena of foldable smartphones in 2023 with the Magic VS, Honor is back with V2, a device that, according to the brand, condenses two years of work and incorporates more than 200 technological innovations. The European debut of the device is accompanied by a limited edition designed by Porsche Design and presented at the Porsche Experience Center in Leipzig: the full name is Porsche Design Honor V2 RSR.
The collaboration, which will continue with a new chapter to be unveiled at MWC 2024, is described as a meeting between “Honor’s human-centered approach” and “the purist and functional aesthetics of Porsche Design”, as well as a union between the “latest innovations” of the technological brand and the “timeless elegance” of the German one.
There are many references to Porsche’s long history of car design in this version of the device, with a strong emphasis on recovering the brand’s boldest, sporty and - let’s say it - aggressive matrix. For example, the curve of the hood of the 911 has been taken as a reference for the flight line of the back of the smartphone, but the entire narrative surrounding the collaboration focuses on common values such as speed and power. The idea of introducing an improved grip for the smartphone looks interesting, offering users “a sports car experience in the palm of your hand”.
The color specific to this device (Porsche Agate Grey) and the use of unique and cutting-edge materials are the other peculiarities of the Magic V2 SRS, which uses an innovative anti-scratch shield (NanoCrystal Shield), weighs just a bit more thatn the base version (234 grams compared to 231) and matches it in thickness just under a centimeter (9.9 mm). Among the technical details, the scratch resistance is ten times higher, while the hardness is above 7 on the Mohs scale.
Moreover, the Porsche Design version inherits all the innovative features of the Magic V2, including the triple-lens camera module, the darkening system that ensures comfortable viewing even during prolonged use, the 5000mAh battery, and a strong focus on interface and software optimization, which were perhaps the real weaknesses of the V1 version. After all, this is a device with such an innovative form factor that we are still figuring out how to use it and what exactly we need it for, beyond the excitement of a category of devices that heralds a new era for smartphones.