A Collaboration That Raises Eyebrows
You expect Jimmy Choo to design glittering heels or handbags. You don’t expect to see his name engraved on the hinge of a foldable smartphone. Yet here we are.
Honor has collaborated with Professor Jimmy Choo OBE on the Magic V Flip 2 Jimmy Choo Edition, blending style with technology. The partnership results in a device that looks more like jewellery than a phone.
The rear panel sparkles in a crushed-stardust finish. Custom wallpapers and clock faces add to the luxury feel. Protective cases shimmer in glitter. Every detail aims to blur the line between high fashion and consumer electronics.
Jimmy Choo: A Global Luxury House
Jimmy Choo, founded in 1996 in London, has become one of the world’s most recognisable luxury fashion brands. The company is famous for its luxury shoes and accessories, endorsed by celebrities and marketed in more than 200 stores across 30 countries. Michael Kors Holdings (now Capri Holdings) bought the name in 2017 for £896 million. With this move, Jimmy Choo entered the company of global fashion powerhouses, including Versace and Michael Kors.
The brand continues to represent glamour and exclusivity, making it a strong partner for technology collaborations. The move into co-branding with a foldable phone demonstrates how luxury labels are seeking new ways to reach younger, tech-conscious audiences.
Honor: A Rising Tech Player
Honor was originally a sub-brand of Huawei, established in 2013, before it was spun off in 2020 to avoid restrictions linked to U.S. sanctions. Since then, Honor has quickly regained ground in the global smartphone market. According to Counterpoint Research, Honor held around 5% of the global smartphone market share in Q2 2024, with stronger positions in China, where it ranks among the top three vendors.
Honor has emphasised design-led technology, foldable smartphones, and AI-enhanced experiences as part of its competitive strategy. By collaborating with high-fashion names like Jimmy Choo, Honor seeks to stand apart from rivals such as Samsung and Oppo in the premium foldable segment.
What You Get Beyond the Sparkle
This is not just about looks. Beneath the crystal-inspired surface lies one of the most advanced flip phones currently on the market.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Main Display: 6.82-inch OLED, 120 Hz, brightness up to 5,000 nits
- Cover Display: 4-inch OLED, 120 Hz
- Battery: 5,500 mAh silicon-carbon unit
- Charging: 80W wired, 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless
- Cameras: 200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide/macro, 50MP selfie
- Software: MagicOS 9.0.1 based on Android 15 (China version)
- Durability: IP58/59 rating, Ultra-Thin Glass, reinforced hinge
The phone is all set to be launched in China on 28 August 2025 with a starting price of 5,999 yuan (~£655).
The Camera That Sets It Apart
If you’ve used flip phones before, you know their biggest weakness is often the camera. Honor seems determined to change that narrative.
- The 200MP main sensor captures detail most rivals can’t match.
- A 50MP ultra-wide doubles up for macro shots.
- A 50MP front camera makes selfies sharper.
- AI tools offer “Passers-by Eraser” and “Open Eyes” functions. Imagine removing photobombers or fixing a half-closed blink without editing apps.
This phone tries to give you DSLR-like flexibility in a device that folds into your pocket.
Battery Life That Matters
Battery anxiety is real when you’re travelling or working late. The Magic V Flip 2 addresses this with a 5,500mAh battery, one of the largest ever seen in a flip phone.
- Charge from flat to 50% in minutes with 80W wired support.
- Go wireless with 50W chargers or share power using 7.5W reverse charging.
For people who live on their phones—banking, messaging, streaming—this is more than a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Durability You Might Trust
Foldables have been criticised for fragility. This phone comes with an IP58/59 rating, offering dust and splash resistance, though not quite the full IP68. Ultra-Thin Glass and a reinforced hinge promise a smoother fold and a near-flat inner screen.
It may not replace a rugged device, but it shows Honor is listening to concerns about longevity.
Software Limitations
Here’s where things get tricky. Out of the box, the phone runs MagicOS 9.0.1 on Android 15, customised for the Chinese market. Apps like Baidu and Weibo come preloaded. Google services need to be enabled separately.
If you’re outside China, this limits usability—unless Honor expands availability with global software support.
Review Snapshot
Digital Trends reviewer Nirave Gondhia describes the Magic V Flip 2 as “the best flip phone you can’t buy.”
Pros
- Outstanding camera system
- Strong battery performance
- Distinctive Jimmy Choo design
- Bright, versatile displays
Cons
- Small text on the cover screen
- No telephoto lens
- Global availability missing
The verdict is clear: the device excels in areas where other flip phones struggle, but its reach is still too limited.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re a consumer, you may wonder: why launch something so desirable in just one market?
For Honor, the Chinese market is a testing ground. Collaborating with Jimmy Choo positions the brand as more than a smartphone maker. It signals a play into lifestyle and luxury.
For you, as a buyer outside China, the lesson is twofold:
- Watch how fashion brands partner with tech. Tomorrow’s luxury goods might not be handbags but high-end devices.
- Demand matters. If global audiences make enough noise, brands like Honor may rethink where they release future editions.
Fashion Meets Technology: A Trend to Watch
The Jimmy Choo collaboration is not the first time luxury fashion has crossed into consumer electronics. Think Prada with LG or Giorgio Armani with Samsung. Most were limited, but each highlighted how personal technology is becoming part of style identity.
The Honor Magic V Flip 2 Jimmy Choo Edition reflects a wider trend: phones are now fashion accessories. The way you choose your device can say as much about you as your shoes or your watch.
Practical Insights
If you travel often, a large battery and fast charging should rank higher than a flashy design. Camera features can save you time editing photos before posting online, while global compatibility becomes an important factor since importing a China-only device means living with software hurdles. Collaborations like this also remind you to see your phone as part of your personal brand, blending fashion choices with the technology you carry every day.
Where It Stands
At £655 in China, the Magic V Flip 2 undercuts Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series while offering bigger specs. For fashion-tech enthusiasts, it’s a statement piece. For everyday buyers, it’s proof that high-end design and technical power can coexist.
Yet until it leaves China, it remains aspirational.