Hey Honor, can we talk about the market launch outside China again?
Chinese smartphone maker Honor on Tuesday introduced the Honor V Purse, a foldable smartphone with a handbag look. Thanks to the optimized hinge and battery, the device is currently the thinnest on the market at 8.6mm when folded. But this is also due to the unusual layout: the large screen is folded outwards, which of course makes it susceptible to scratches.
According to Honor CEO Zhao Ming at the product presentation, more than 2 million foldable smartphones were sold in China in the first half of 2023. This means that the market is growing rapidly even though it is at a low level. Honor wants to stand out from the increasingly tough competition (especially in China) with its unique design.
However, eye-catching design comes at a price. To be so slim, Honor had to compromise on the processor and install a mid-range chip from 2021, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G. High-end gaming is not possible. To achieve this, Honor really packs a punch in terms of RAM and offers 16 GB as standard, along with 256 GB or 512 GB of storage.
The smartphone can be folded like a handbag and the always-on display can be customized. With a leather look, a chain or carrying strap, Honor hopes it will become a fashionable accessory. If I understand correctly, the screen can only be used when it is unfolded, which is of course rather impractical.
Whether this is enough to assert itself against established top dogs like Samsung or ambitious newcomers like Oppo in this niche market remains to be seen. Honor’s boss Zhao Ming watches the competition calmly and describes them as “honorable competitors”. In terms of price, Honor has certainly done a lot for the sub-800 euro equivalent. This means that the foldable form factor can penetrate more into the mass market.
Although the Honor V Purse is unlikely to hit the market in Germany, I’d love to read your thoughts on (or precisely because of) this unusual foldable in the comments!
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