HONOR turns its foldable smartphone into handbag with always-on live displays at IFA 2023

Honor debuts Magic V2 foldable smartphone and V Purse concept

Foldable smartphones are hitting the market, and HONOR wants to make sure they go mainstream again. At IFA 2023 in Berlin, HONOR unveils its slimmest inward foldable smartphone yet through the Magic V2 and debuts the HONOR V Purse, a new concept that transforms its foldable smartphone into a wearable fashion purse, equipped with screen displays that never turn off. The HONOR V Purse, with its ‘phone-to-purse’ concept, is seen as the starting point of turning smartphones into more than their social and connective purposes.

For HONOR, the handheld device can also become a fashionable consumer good that let the user express themselves using custom screen designs that speak their styles and personalities. Speaking with designboom, the HONOR design team says that ‘the HONOR V Purse is an entirely new, unique and revolutionary concept. It is unlike anything that has been seen before. We believe it is the smartphone of the future, and that it will pave the way for the future of fashion and technology.’

images courtesy of HONOR

Always-on displays of Honor V purse replicate handbag designs

The customizable always-on displays – or AODs – of the HONOR V Purse mimic a handbag design. These live displays feature design elements such as chains, feathers, and tassels, and whenever the foldable smartphone moves, these on-screen accessories sway and follow the movement of the smartphone too. HONOR takes it a step further by offering the user interchangeable straps and chains that clip onto the hinge on the foldable smartphone so that they can hang their smartphone over their shoulder like a purse or handbag.

The HONOR V Purse also features vegan leather for its straps, and the concept’s customizable AODs mean the user can pair their live displays with their outfit. ‘Today’s discerning consumers are all looking for new ways to express themselves and reflect their individuality. Whether it’s a fresh haircut, a new outfit, or a statement piece of jewelry, there are many ways to stand out from the crowd. But until now, the devices that we have on display for much of the day have taken a backseat compared to other more stylish accessories. We believe this is a bold new concept that will pave the way for the future of fashion and technology,’ the HONOR design team tells designboom.

the HONOR V Purse concept transforms the foldable smartphone into a handbag with its always-on screen displays

As the fashion industry transcends the physical world into a more digital space, technology is enabling possibilities for style and self-expression. In fact, HONOR has teamed up with cultural tastemakers from across its HONOR Talents Global Design Awards platform, including creative director from BURBERRY menswear Bram Van Diepen, contemporary artist Yunuene Esparza, professor of the China Academy of Art Yuan Youmin and crossover artist Xiao Hui Wang, to design a series of custom AODs for the device.

Speaking with designboom, Shanghai artist Xiao Hui Wang says she draws upon the concept of breathing to realize her custom always-on display for HONOR. Her artwork, named ‘Deep Breath,’ also embodies the nuances of Yin and Yang. The artwork responds to the user’s breath, moving with each inhalation and exhalation. ‘It is interactive. When you take a deep breath, the artwork expands, and when you exhale, it deflates,’ she explains to designboom.

the HONOR V Purse also comes with straps that clip on the hinge so the user can wear it as a fashion bag

To soothe the soul in a hectic and bustling world is the objective of Xiao Hui Wang’s moving artwork for HONOR. It offers a new form of meditation, encouraging users to take a moment in their daily lives to be mindful of their breathing and relax. Xiao Hui Wang even tells designboom that initially, she was concerned about integrating technology into her art and whether it was possible to translate her stationary artwork into a dynamic one without losing its essence.

HONOR stepped in, as Xiao Hui Wang continues to share with designboom, and assured her that the team would take care of it. ‘They told me not to worry about how to bring it to life as they would handle it. I only need to bring my artistic vision, and they will take care of the rest,’ she says. The meticulously detailed and sculpted result has also inspired the crossover artist to expand her repertoire. This time, she is exploring artificial intelligence and how she can incorporate this new-age technology into her art, all while remaining true to her manual artistic labor.

the always-on live displays follow the movement of the foldable smartphone

Foldable smartphone honor magic v2 withstands 400,000 folds

Aside from the V Purse, HONOR also launches its lightest and thinnest inward foldable smartphone yet. The Magic V2 is only 9.9mm2 thick when folded and weighs 231 grams, and a Silicon-Carbon-Dual-Battery with a high capacity of up to 5,000mAh powers up the smartphone. The super-lightweight titanium hinge and an exclusive steel is used in the HONOR Magic V2 to give the hinge mechanism more sturdiness and longevity.

HONOR says that Magic V2 has also received the renowned SGS durability certification after its hinge withstood more than 400,000 folds. The triple rear camera system on the HONOR Magic V2 consists of a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 20MP telephoto camera (the front-facing dual camera setup features two 16MP Cameras). Eyeglass wearers may benefit from HONOR Magic V2’s 3840Hz PWM Dimming technology which helps minimize eye strain during extended use.

the Honor V Purse displays can be customized too

For the first time, the HONOR Magic V2 supports the Parallel Space, which makes it possible to independently operate dual-space apps in parallel, much like a second phone was inserted into the foldable phone. It also enables work and life data to be stored separately and data to be securely isolated.

‘We believe that with the launch of not only the HONOR V Purse, but also the HONOR Magic V2, we are defining what’s next for smartphones. We believe that foldables are the future, and with these two new groundbreaking devices, we are catering to the needs of a wide range of users,’ the HONOR design team shares with designboom.

They add that ‘both devices are thinner and lighter than most regular smartphones, and they have the performance and battery life to compete with them, too. Users are getting all the benefits of a large, immersive display. We’ve been blown away by the response we’ve been getting from it from our trusted fans and media friends at IFA.’