Key Takeaways
1. Honor’s Magic V3 was the sleekest foldable smartphone last year, but Oppo’s Find N5 has claimed the title of thinnest foldable this year.
2. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7 is also competing for the slimmest design and is even sleeker than its Chinese rivals.
3. Measurements for foldables were taken in the unfolded position, focusing on specific points without camera interference for accuracy.
4. Measurement standards may vary among Chinese manufacturers, leading to discrepancies between stated and actual thicknesses.
5. Samsung’s specifications are generally more accurate compared to those of some Chinese brands, which may lack transparency.
The contest for the sleekest foldable smartphone was already claimed last year by Honor’s Magic V3. This year, Oppo introduced the Find N5 as the thinnest option, surpassing the V3, which Honor then countered with the Magic V5. Samsung is also entering the race with the Galaxy Z Fold7, which prioritizes a slim profile, making it even sleeker than its Chinese rivals.
Measurement Process
We aim to dig deeper into this by measuring at specific points, as illustrated in the graphic below.
The measuring locations (MP) were established using a standard caliper gauge. Along with the three foldables previously mentioned, we’re also including the Huawei Mate X6 in our assessment. For the Magic V5, we have the white variant, which is the only one with a lower height.
Measurement Details
Measurements are taken in the unfolded position on the side without a camera, centered along the long edge. The highest point (noted as ‘Camera’) in the closed position is recorded from the front glass to the camera. Any protective films that were on the front displays have been removed for accuracy.
Measurement point 3 (MP 3) can be tricky for most foldables, as the cameras are situated very near to the edge.
In our evaluations, the Galaxy Z Fold7 stands out as the slimmest foldable, with the Find N5 being just a tad flatter at its maximum height. The reigning champion, the Magic V5, takes second place here, but its camera module is among the most noticeable. Although the camera on the Mate X6 is the highest overall, its slightly bulkier design makes it less conspicuous than that of the Honor.
Conclusions and Insights
Ultimately, our findings revealed that the point of measurement is crucial. For instance, we discovered that in some areas, the Magic V5 is thinner than the manufacturer’s stated thickness (8.75 mm), while we measured the Samsung at just 8.50 mm in certain spots.
It appears that Chinese manufacturers may have different measurement standards and sometimes forgo the protective film on the foldable screens. We hope to see greater transparency and more accurate specifications from these manufacturers. On the contrary, Samsung seems to align closely with its stated specifications.