Singer unveils HONOR Magic V5 redefining foldable flagships and market dominance in Sri Lanka

From left: Singer Sri Lanka Director Operations Jagath Perera, Singer Sri Lanka Marketing Director Janmesh Antony, Singer Sri Lanka Chief Operating Officer Vajira Tennakon, HONOR Sri Lanka General Manager Zeng Lexing, HONOR President Southeast Asia Region George Zheng, HAYLEYS Group of Companies Chairman Mohan Pandithage, Singer Sri Lanka Group Managing Director Mahesh Wijewardene, Singer Sri Lanka Commercial Director Thulitha Mendis, Singer Sri Lanka General Manager Digital Products Tharaka Warnakulasuriya and Singer Sri Lanka Senior Brand Manager Ranidu Silva

BY Nishel Fernando

In a landmark event in Colombo on Monday, Singer Sri Lanka PLC unveiled the HONOR Magic V5, the global technology brand’s most advanced foldable flagship smartphone to date. The launch was more than just a product release; it was a potent demonstration of a strategic partnership that has fundamentally reshaped Sri Lanka’s mobile market. 

This event celebrated the fusion of cutting-edge innovation with unparalleled retail strength, solidifying the HONOR-Singer alliance as the undisputed leader in the nation’s smartphone industry. This collaboration, which began in April 2023, has propelled HONOR to the number one smartphone brand in Sri Lanka, capturing a commanding 21 percent market share in the first two quarters of the year, according to IDC reports. This victory is amplified by Singer’s own dominance, leading the market with an overall 41 percent share in smartphone distribution.

The launch signifies a new era of mobility, designed to merge artistry, intelligence and performance, enabling users to unlock new levels of productivity and creativity.

Speaking at the launch, Singer Sri Lanka Group Managing Director Mahesh Wijewardene articulated the partnership’s vision.

“We are proud to introduce the HONOR Magic V5, a device that embodies true innovation and craftsmanship. This foldable smartphone reflects our continued commitment to bringing world-class technology to Sri Lankan consumers and offering them not only premium performance but also a glimpse into the future of mobile experiences.”

This sentiment was echoed by HONOR President Southeast Asia Region George Zheng, who emphasised the device’s global significance.

“The Magic V5 is a statement of HONOR’s leadership in design and innovation. Through our partnership with Singer, we are delighted to bring this exceptional device to Sri Lanka. Its foldable form, AI capabilities and ecosystem connectivity represent a new standard in what users can expect from a flagship smartphone.”

New benchmark for foldable design

HONOR Magic V5 immediately shatters preconceptions about foldable devices. It addresses the category’s primary compromises—bulk and weight—with a revolutionary design, standing among the slimmest and most portable foldable smartphones ever made. It is a feat of meticulous engineering, boasting a foldable form factor that is only 4.2 mm thin when unfolded and an incredibly light 217g body. When folded, it maintains a sleek 8.8 mm profile, making it feel less like a foldable and more like a traditional flagship smartphone.

This ultra-thin profile is achieved without sacrificing durability, thanks to a sophisticated, fourth-generation hinge. This mechanism was perfected using AI-powered simulations—over 100,000 of them—to lock in a design that is both slim and robust, with precision control down to 0.003 mm. This relentless focus on resilience extends to the phone’s materials. The back cover utilises a material with a 4,000 fabric count, making it 61 percent lighter than paper yet an astonishing two and a half times stronger than industrial-grade steel. The device is also engineered to be drop-resistant, scratch-resistant and water-resistant, ensuring its premium feel is matched by real-world durability.

Uncompromised power: A colossal battery and Elite processing

Magic V5’s most impressive engineering feat is its “no compromise” approach to power. While other ultra-thin devices sacrifice battery life, Magic V5 features the largest battery capacity in a foldable smartphone to date, housing a massive 5820 mAh dual-battery system. This is made possible by an industry-first 15-percent silicon-carbon battery technology, which allows for higher energy density in a slimmer package. Combined with an AI Power Management System, this colossal battery provides true all-day endurance, even when powering its dual-screen setup.

This endurance is paired with flagship performance. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, a 3 nm processor described as the fastest currently available in an Android smartphone. This elite chipset, combined with up to 16 GB of RAM, ensures that every action—from launching apps to complex multitasking—is instantaneous and fluid. Magic V5 doesn’t ask users to choose between a thin design and powerful performance; it delivers both.

Dual displays: A visual and interactive masterpiece

HONOR Magic V5’s user experience is centred around its two stunning screens. It features dual HDR displays that achieve a staggering peak brightness of 5000 nits, ensuring exceptional clarity and contrast even in bright outdoor sunlight. When folded, it operates as a premium 6.4-inch smartphone. When unfolded, it reveals a massive, tablet-like 7.95-inch internal screen, creating an expansive canvas for work and play.

In a significant leap for productivity, both screens come with pen support. This provides a seamless experience for users who prefer to sketch, annotate documents or multitask across the two high-definition panels with precision. The displays are not only bright and responsive but also designed for comfort, featuring advanced eye-comfort technology that HONOR claims surpasses even its top-tier, non-foldable rivals.

Reimagining photography with AI-powered optics

HONOR has equipped Magic V5 with a camera system designed to deliver professional-grade results that match its premium aesthetic. The system is headlined by a 64MP Ultra Sensing Periscope Telephoto Camera, a powerhouse lens that “captures striking detail and vivid colour, even in low light”.

This advanced telephoto hardware is the engine behind the device’s remarkable 100X digital zoom, which uses advanced AI technology to enhance clarity at extreme distances. The entire camera array, including the main wide and ultra-wide lenses, is enhanced by HONOR’s advanced image processing technology, delivering images with DSLR-like quality, stunning macro detail and exceptional performance in night photography.

Intelligent ecosystem: AI, multitasking and true freedom

The true power of Magic V5 lies in its intelligent, AI-driven experience. The software is built to leverage the unique foldable form factor. A split-screen AI assistant lets users multitask seamlessly across both displays, intelligently managing tasks from browsing and document editing to attending virtual meetings, all enhanced by smarter organisation and smoother performance.

This intelligence is deeply integrated, with the phone coming embedded with Google Gemini. In a move for ultimate convenience, the AI assistant can be activated with a simple double-tap on the back of the phone, even without unlocking it. When multitasking, the experience is akin to “using two separate smartphones at the same time,” offering a level of productivity previously unattainable on a mobile device.

In a bold move towards an open ecosystem, HONOR is also promoting “true freedom” for its users. Magic V5 includes a one-tap to share with iPhone feature, breaking down the conventional walled gardens between brands and prioritising consumer convenience.

Global vision, local dominance: Market impact

The launch of Magic V5 marks a significant milestone for both HONOR and Singer, symbolising their shared commitment to innovation and excellence. This partnership is a masterclass in market strategy. HONOR provides a stream of globally acclaimed, innovative products, while Singer provides the “unmatched reach and reliability” to get those products into the hands of Sri Lankan consumers.

This powerful synergy has not only driven sales but has also successfully “transformed how Sri Lankans experience technology”. The “win-win-win partnership” —benefiting HONOR, Singer and the consumer—is a model of success. As consumer interest in foldable technology continues to grow, this collaboration underscores a mutual dedication to making premium innovations more accessible to all Sri Lankan users.

Honor Magic V5 is priced at Rs.599,000 and is available now in two premium colours: Reddish Brown and Dawn Gold. Customers can purchase the device at Singer showrooms, authorised resellers nationwide and online via www.singer.lk.