When it comes to folding phones, there is a noticeable division between the more compact flip models, which are often marketed as stylish fashion accessories, and the larger book-style foldables, which are aimed at power users needing space for multitasking on the go. Honor took a shot at combining style and productivity with its V Purse and we had the chance to spend some time with the device to see how it performs in everyday use.
According to Honor CEO George Zhao, the V Purse is a “phy-digital fashion statement” – a digital purse with interchangeable straps that also functions as a large screen foldable with a spacious wrap-around 7.71-inch AMOLED screen. Initially, it was just a concept device, but Honor made the decision to launch the V Purse in China.
Unboxing
The Honor V Purse comes in a large box with the phone’s display unfolded. It includes a 35W charging brick, a USB-C to USB-A cable for charging, and a SIM ejector pin. Additionally, Honor sent the strap accessory, which attaches to the phone’s frame on the right-hand side, allowing you to wear it around your shoulder like a purse.
This reviewer chose to use the phone without the chain attachment as it did not suit his personal style, but there are plenty of users who already carry their bar phones around their shoulders with similar cases.
Design
The most notable feature of the V Purse is its size. When folded, it measures 156.5mm tall, 74.7mm wide, and 8.6mm at its thickest point, weighing just 214 grams. This means that the V Purse takes up less space and weight in your pocket than a flagship bar phone while offering a huge 7.71-inch OLED screen at the push of a button.
The Honor V Purse is also the “world’s thinnest foldable” when unfolded, measuring just 4.3mm. This makes it even easier to wield one-handedly and easier to carry around. Honor’s decision to use an outward folding design sets it apart from most large folding phones.
Honor has opted for an outward folding design that wraps the screen around the back of the device, which is a less common choice for foldables these days. When folded, you get a 6.45-inch screen with a 19.4:9 aspect ratio, making typing and general usage less cumbersome than most large folding phones.
When you need more screen real estate, you can open up the screen via the clasp mechanism and its dedicated release button, providing you with a full 7.71-inch screen with a 2,348 x 2,016px resolution and a 10.5:9 aspect ratio, refreshing at 90Hz and with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits.
The display is stunning and offers enough resolution, color accuracy, and brightness to make your content feel as immersive as possible for a smartphone. The V Purse’s design also makes it more ergonomic for reading, thanks to the bulge on the side providing a natural resting position for your hand.
Software and performance
The Honor V Purse runs on MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13. The interface will be familiar to anyone who has used Honor smartphones in the past two years. MagicOS is a heavily modified Android skin with a unique look and offers full Google app support.
Magic Wallet is a key software addition for the V Purse, allowing the back part of the screen to display a custom AOD wallpaper with various options to choose from. Some of Honor’s designs are interactive, simulating items you’d find in a real purse like makeup and jewelry. It also allows you to add a text prompt for an added touch of personality.
The settings app features a dual-pane and allows you to resize apps in pop-up windows or position them side by side, as well as group apps on your home screen and launch them with a single tap. The UI has been optimized for the larger screen with the option to resize all Android apps to fit the large screen in tablet mode.
The Honor V Purse is powered by a Snapdragon 778G, which is a capable chip with enough power for most tasks including gaming with high-quality graphics. The phone remained relatively cool even during more demanding tasks, which was also impressive given its slim profile.
Camera
The V Purse features a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide lens, covering a 0.6x, 1x, and 2x zoom range. Unfortunately, neither of the two shooters offer OIS.
Images from the main camera offer good detail but color rendition leaves a bit to be desired, with greens looking washed out in some instances. 2x shots are comparable to the regular 1x shots in terms of detail and color reproduction.
The 12MP ultrawide lens offers less detail and takes a step back in color reproduction. Daylight shots during a typically dull January day come out looking subdued and leave a lot to be desired both in detail and vibrancy.
Selfies on the 8MP front-facing lens bring good contrast and decent color reproduction, with enough detail and true-to-life skin tones.
Battery and charging speed
The V Purse is equipped with a 4,500 mAh battery, which earned it an 8:08-hour rating in our Active Use Score. Charging times were not particularly impressive, with the V Purse needing 66 minutes for a full charge using Honor’s bundled 35W SuperCharge adapter.
Conclusion
The Honor V Purse is not your typical folding phone, with its extravagant design and midrange hardware. Despite specs not being the driving factor, it stands out for its premium build, great screen, and stable performance.
As a fusion of fashion and tech, the V Purse represents a unique approach, but its starting price of CNY 6,000 ($840/€775) and Chinese exclusivity may limit its appeal outside its home market.
