Honor is reportedly skipping the Magic V4 and will instead launch the Magic V5 foldable smartphone, as tetraphobia (fear of the number 4) influences naming conventions in China. Though details are scarce, the Magic V5 is expected to feature a super thin design. The Product Manager of Honor Devices, Li Kun, has confirmed that the device is set to be unveiled in late May or early June 2025. This naming pattern has been observed in other Chinese brands as well, which have also avoided using the number four for their models.
Last year, Honor introduced the Magic V3 foldable smartphone, and naturally, we anticipated the arrival of the Magic V4 sometime in 2025. However, a recent rumor from China suggests that this won’t happen — but it’s not for the reason you might expect.
It’s not that Honor is forgoing a successor to the Magic V3 this year; rather, it appears it simply won’t be named Magic V4. In fact, due to tetraphobia, the lineup is said to be jumping from Magic V3 directly to Magic V5.
Honor Magic V3
This kind of occurrence is familiar with Chinese brands, who fear that tetraphobia may deter consumers from opting for devices labeled as the fourth iteration.
The rumored Magic V5 is expected to showcase an ultra-slim design, though it remains uncertain whether it will claim the title of “thinnest book-style foldable” from the Oppo Find N5 (which also bypassed the number 4, by the way). Li Kun, the Product Manager for Honor Devices, has confirmed that the Magic V5 is set to launch in late May or early June.
Via