HONOR Magic V5, our official coverage phone at Tokyo Game Show 2025
Tokyo is one of those places that makes you want to take pictures all day. The streets are filled with neon lights, towering billboards, and pockets of calm where shrines and cherry blossoms break up the urban rush. Now, mix that with the Tokyo Game Show — a whirlwind of cosplaying, game demos, fan events, and viral moments — and you get what every content creator dreams of: a constant stream of sights you want to capture, edit, and share at top speed.
That’s exactly why I brought the HONOR Magic V5 to Tokyo Game Show 2025. I needed a phone that’s more than just a smartphone. I wanted something that could help me create, edit, and post content on one sleek device. And I learned quickly that the Magic V5 can do more than what most people ask from their phones.
It’s Built for Content Creation and Fast Sharing
Let’s start with power. The HONOR Magic V5 gives you a flagship experience, not just in looks but also in speed. Shooting high-resolution photos and 4K videos is smooth. The phone doesn’t struggle, even when I’m capturing quick cosplay moments or crowded show floor scenes. I also edited short clips right on the device. Importing, trimming, and even adding some basic effects felt just as fast as on my laptop. And because the phone is made for multitasking, switching between the gallery, editing apps, and social media is a breeze.
Uploading content is another strength. At large events like Tokyo Game Show, timing matters. You want to share clips and photos while the excitement is fresh. With the Magic V5’s fast WiFi and 5G, plus eSIM support, getting online is quicker and simpler than ever. I picked up a Japanese eSIM before flying in. Activation was easy and, within minutes, I had full-blown 5G – no searching for physical SIM cards or worrying about compatibility. Roaming is just not an issue anymore. Sharing content to Instagram, X, and TikTok was instant and hassle-free.
The Camera Is a Content Creator’s Dream
HONOR calls the Magic V5 a “camera foldable.” Honestly, I get why. The camera system is impressive. Shooting in all sorts of lighting, whether it’s the glowing booths at TGS or soft sunlight at Tokyo’s parks, led to detailed and vibrant photos. Videos came out crisp and steady, which is not easy with all the movement at an expo.
But what stands out for me is how versatile this camera is. There’s a portrait mode that’s especially tailored for the kind of photo opportunities you get at an event like Tokyo Game Show. Cosplayers are everywhere – people spend months on their costumes, and you want to honor that effort by taking photos that do them justice. The Magic V5’s portrait mode includes presets and film simulations to help you get the vibe just right, whether you want classic Harcourt studio style or a fun animated look. There’s even a Cover Screen feature for those moments when you’re snapping someone who needs a little distraction – perfect for capturing kids or making sure people are looking your way.
RAW capture and in-depth manual controls are available for those who want to fine-tune every shot. But if you just want to point, shoot, and share, this phone handles it with ease. I often left my mirrorless camera at the hotel because the HONOR Magic V5 was quicker, lighter, and good enough for almost everything, especially social content.
Editing On-the-Go? No Problem
One thing that content creators often struggle with is editing on the go. Most phones aren’t built to handle heavy video rendering or batch photo editing. The Magic V5 is different. It’s got the hardware muscle to let you edit multiple photos and videos without lag. Whether I was cropping, color correcting, or stitching together short reels, everything worked fluidly.
And thanks to MagicOS and AI features, some tasks became way easier. Features like Image to Video let you animate still photos – turning boring shots into lively clips. AI Writing and Magic Portal made it almost fun to add captions, tags, and descriptive text to posts. I ended up saving a lot of time not having to bounce files around or use separate apps.
More Than Just a Camera: A Travel Buddy
Of course, Tokyo itself helped make this phone shine. The city’s landscapes look stunning on the Magic V5’s large, bright screen. The foldable design let me watch and edit footage on a nearly tablet-sized screen while still letting me slip the device into my pocket. In crowded trains or noisy venues, the phone’s loud speakers and edge-to-edge display made it a great companion for reviewing footage or streaming highlights.
Battery life kept me going for most of the day. Shooting, editing, and uploading are all power-hungry tasks, and the Magic V5 proves that flexibility doesn’t come at the cost of endurance. The included fast charger was a lifesaver when I needed to top up in my hotel room before heading out again.
A Foldable That’s Ready for Anything
I’ve used a lot of phones at conventions, and most fall short somewhere – camera isn’t good enough, battery dies too fast, or the software slows things down. The HONOR Magic V5 stands out because it tackles all those problems head-on. It’s more than fast enough to shoot, edit, and post content. It makes using international eSIMs easy, so staying connected is never a worry. And its camera excels at both everyday memories and the kind of portraits you want to bring home from a place like Tokyo.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
