19 Reasons Why the Internet Doesn't Like the Honor Magic V2's Software

Hey folks! 🎉 Welcome back to my channel! Today, we're diving deep into the Honor Magic V2's software. I've been using the global version and I've got a lot to say, especially after your questions and the buzz around its software. 📱✨
Many reviews rave about the V2's sleek hardware but hint at its software being a bit of a letdown. So, I decided to take a closer look and share my detailed thoughts with you. From Google services running smoothly to some quirky UI choices and missing features, I've covered it all. 🧐💡
Despite a few annoyances like dated UI elements, confusing notifications, and some missing customization options, I've been enjoying the overall experience. The Honor Magic V2 might have its quirks, but its design, lightness, and screen quality still make it a great pick for tech enthusiasts like us! 🚀📲
Check out the full review to see if the software quirks are a deal-breaker for you or if the Honor Magic V2's charms win you over. Thanks for watching, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell for more tech insights and reviews. See you in the next video! Take care! 🌟👋
#HonorMagicV2 #foldablephones
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - General: Google Services and Android Auto
02:06 - Look & Feel
03:38 - Annoying notifications
04:47 - Swipe down on home screen
06:08 - Changing fonts
06:54 - No app info from app drawer
07:44 - Camera options
07:48 - No option to configure double press on home button
08:12 - No 16:9 aspect ratio
08:30 - Timer hidden in menu
08:52 - No zoom-out in gallery app
09:46 - No find my device app
10:26 - Homescren organization
10:32 - No automatic sorting of folders
10:49 - No search bar to add apps to folders
11:13 - No hiding of icon labels and changing icon sizes
11:38 - Widget stacks only with Honor widgets
12:45 - changing app scaling for multiple apps not possible
13:27 - No taskbar
14:26 - No app pair saving
15:11 - Some apps dont auto-rotate
16:30 - No horizontal split with some apps
17:17 - My personal opinion
18:13 - End

[@bp2368]

You can't switch to horizontal view of Chrome/Reddit pair because of Reddit, you can't switch Reddit to horizontal view, it is not honor's fault, you can't rotate Reddit on any phone, the same goes for tik tok.

[@JMTMarc]

Thank you for pointing that out! Makes perfect sense. Did not think of that.

[@robertosswald5896]

Exactly, on a normal tablet I can't make reddit work in landscape. It's just a crappy app.

[@videobash1]

Always great videos from this young channel. Keep up the good work

[@JMTMarc]

Thank you so much! Will do 😃

[@coconutsmarties]

Thank you for this video. I have been reading so many reviews that allude to the 'weak software' and give one or two examples and then move on to other features. I really wanted to know the specifics around the software weaknesses, so this video is perfect for me! I think I'm gonna buy this thing 😊

[@JMTMarc]

Thank you! I was in the same boat as you, therefore I thought it would be a good idea to make this video. Go for it! The Magic V2nis awesome 😎

[@coconutsmarties]

@@JMTMarc By the way, I'm in the UK and Honor are currently offering the V2 for £1,200 (Mother's Day sale, apparently!) Would you say that the handset is worth this amount please? FYI that equates to c. EUR 1,402 Many thanks Marc!

[@adyt2775]

Great video and the most in depth explanation of the software on KZbin! Well done

[@JMTMarc]

Thanks a lot 🙏 Glad you liked it 😊

[@EvilMmM]

I recived mine today, i was AMAISED how the phone is thin. and feels good in the hands. i just love multitasking on it and camera is fine. it is very fast phone. but still for a foldable phone it is good. + i got honor pad8 with it which i was amazed too :D

[@JMTMarc]

Unboxing it is a really special experience indeed! Even after owning it for some weeks, it still amazed me how tough and light it is and how good it feels in the hand.

[@Aj-vg7fp]

Running Nova Launcher on my Honor Magic V2, and it's fantastic.

[@JMTMarc]

Interesting! I definitely have to try this 👍

[@Aj-vg7fp]

@@JMTMarc Ensure that in the Nova settings, you choose Nova Launcher as the default launcher.

[@myrrhsee1]

That was my initial thought... Nova launcher!

[@Aj-vg7fp]

Actually Nova Luncher with modern android theme are my go to for the past 5 years no matter what phone i use

[@erhandavran9877]

I tried many times but I saw that it didn't work. I do not believe you. Nova is not the default launcher....

[@adamt6186]

Thanks for the video. By the way, should I install screen protectors, or there are already implemented in the factory? If so, is it sufficient?

[@JMTMarc]

Both screens come with a screen protector installed and so far they are holding up great. The screen protector for the outer screen can be replaced like on any normal phone.

[@adamt6186]

@@JMTMarc Thx. So no additional protectors required on top of that?

[@G3323R]

I've had mine 3 months now and I still love it!

[@JMTMarc]

Yes! It's a fantastic foldable 👍🏼

[@benthang01]

Love your insightful videos 🙂 Does the V2 have secure folder like OneUI and does it have App Cloner/Dual Messenger? Thank you

[@JMTMarc]

Thanks a lot! It has a secure folder/secure environment (parallel space) and also an app cloner, which is called App Twin and works for WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and Facebook (on my phone).

[@morgenmicha]

Hey grest hideo. Thx. One question: has the MV2 a dex lile Desktopmode?

[@JMTMarc]

hat's an excellent question! There was some debate regarding whether the V2 has Desktop mode, but I can confirm that it does indeed have it, known as 'Magic Desktop.' I'll create a video about it. Thanks for bringing it up!

[@RafikPawl]

really good video, great job !

[@JMTMarc]

Thank you 😊 🙏

[@vimalramachandran]

Thanks for covering the software's pitfalls. Most reviewers, including the big channels, focus on the hardware's virtues and ignore the software.

[@JMTMarc]

To deliver a balanced and objective software review, it's essential to use a phone for an extended period. Most major channels only receive the phones along with a press kit, including spec sheets and talking points, without truly diving deep. This is understandable, given the constant influx of new phones. Therefore, smaller channels have an opportunity to fill this gap by dedicating more time to thorough reviews.

[@Dominik-tl7fn]

Wie siehst du das V2 nach ein paar Tagen jetzt im Vergleich zum Oneplus Open und Pixel Fold?

[@JMTMarc]

Es ist wirklich schwierig zu sagen. Ich liebe das Gerät, aber das OnePlus Open und das Pixel Fold sind ebenfalls tolle Geräte. Aus meiner Sicht ist die Kamera sicherlich die Schwachstelle des Magic V2. Die Kameras des OnePlus Open und des Pixel Fold sind meiner Meinung nach deutlich besser, besonders bei wenig Licht.

[@hequsn]

Ordered mine yesterday evening. Hopefully I'll get it before the weekend 😊 Now I have a fold3 and I've been very pleased with it for the last 18 months. Had a minor accident and a few pixels went bad on the inner screen, luckily my insurance company gave me over 700euros! Unfortunately No bang and olufsen headphones in Finland, but the price was 1499euros so thats fine.

[@JMTMarc]

Awesome! Enjoy your device! And if you got it at a discount, even better. OnePlus gives free headphones in the UK; you just need to redeem them within the two-week return period. Greetings to Finland :D

[@marcoferay5751]

Great video and very informative thank you for sharing. I went to try hands on this phone as well as the fold 5 and my conclusion is that I will wait for the fold 6 and I would anyway go for the fold 5 if I had to choose between the latter or the honour v2. Honestly the only good thing of this phone is that is extremely thin but that’s it, the hinge is not great it basically stays open or closed where z fold 5 hinge is outstanding and about the software Samsung is again the winner, it’s so well made, better looking and very intuitive from minute one and has a better multitasking as well. I am an iPhone user but I will switch to fold 6 next coming August

[@JMTMarc]

I'm also really exited for the new foldables that are coming out in 2024. If rumors are true there will be 2 versions of the Fold 6, a normal and an ultimate version. Who knows what they have in store...

[@dararaloun4554]

Hello, i know that the v2 doesn't have ip rating! But I would like to check if the manufacturer took into consideration that the magic V2 might mistakenly exposed to splashes of water from rain or falling into the water. However, if the phone was picked up fast and dried up does it resist small amounts of water ?

[@JMTMarc]

That's a good question. I don't know honestly, and I also have yet to see videos about that topic. To my knowledge, nobody tested that yet.

[@dararaloun4554]

Thanks

[@brunobruno6908]

Une fois de plus c'est très intéressant, merci pour toutes ces informations.👍

[@JMTMarc]

Merci pour le commentaire! Comme toujours, tu es le bienvenu 😃

[@changegames8572]

Can you use Auto Rotate apps if its gonna allow Horizontal Split for apps that dont allow it? I think this is the biggest deal breaker for me.

[@JMTMarc]

It will rotate but it will not change the split to horizontal.

[@amerahabib4023]

Can anyone tell me if you would be able to use revanced on this phone?

[@JMTMarc]

I don't know...

[@amerahabib4023]

@@JMTMarc ah well I bought it now so will wait and see I guess.. Maybe a good video for you to test 😉

[@K22MDL]

Your video is so accurate and indeed the reason why I stopped using my Honor Magic V2. Actually using one day to day drove me crazy, there are so many reasons why Honor have messed up the usability of this beautiful device - software. I don't think they will ever get it correct and before they do Samsung will steal their thunder and launch the new Fold 6 - with a bigger more user friendly front screen. You also didn't mention the most frustratimg error - the very bad app resizing when opening the phone? Even KZbin can get caught out on the outer screen and so can an on-line newspaper The Times. When unfolded, It basically takes the front screen look and stretches it leaving out the proper formatted page that occurs when I view same on my Fold V. This happens all the time on FaceBook - both screens often resize incorrectly cutting peoples heads off for example. How did you find the OnePlus Open? I had one a few days after UK release but sent it back because honestly, I thought the camera in its basic settings was far worse than my Fold V. Anyway, I've subscribed I am that impressed!!

[@JMTMarc]

Hello and thank you for subscribing, I'm very pleased. Yes, the software does have issues here and there, and I also experience problems with app scaling. Nonetheless, I really enjoy using the Magic V2, but I'm eager to see what Android 14 brings, should it finally appear. I honestly find the camera of the OnePlus quite good, much better than the Magic V2's. The Open also performed quite well in MKBHD's camera blind test. It remains exciting: I can hardly wait to see what the Z Fold 6 and Pixel Fold 2 bring.

[@hydrowk12]

man my main complaint about the device is the software I'm type of a guy who doesn't complain about the os software, but damn there are a lot of design decisions are weird and outdated, missing features and QoL experience, like we are in 2024 and I've read they releasing 8th version of the device in the upcoming momths, and they don't seem are addressing any of the major issues

[@JMTMarc]

Yes! It's a shame. They need to work on that. MagicOS 8 will probably only come in late summer. They also need to improve their update schedule.

[@cyrilowusu150]

Could you do a oneplus open video like this?

[@JMTMarc]

Very good idea 💡 I will consider it! Thanks!

[@benfearn7961]

Great review, I'm using a global V2 in the US and agree 100%. It is a flawed device that I absolutely adore

[@JMTMarc]

Perfect summary of my feelings 😀

[@kellyalexeosmith1259]

Does it have a S-Pen type Smart Select option?

[@JMTMarc]

I don't have the pen, so I can't tell you anything about it. And I haven't been able to find any info about it online either.

[@sylvesterwatson314]

Yes it does and it works on both screens

[@sylvesterwatson314]

Yes it does

[@andresross9738]

Hi google services works on chinese version thanks?

[@JMTMarc]

If you import it from tradingshenzen.com they will preinstall the Google Playstore and you will ne able to use most Google Services, exept Android Auto. I have the global version with full support of all Google services.

[@itsmarvar]

Great video !

[@JMTMarc]

Thank you 😊

[@gandrake21]

About the annoying relaunching notification, why don't you just turn it off from the settings menu.

[@JMTMarc]

These notifications can not be turned off, unfortunately.

[@Chris34720]

How good are honor at implementing updates ?

[@JMTMarc]

They don't have a great track record when it comes to delivering updates. The global version of the Magic V2 still runs Android 13...

[@Emeraldgamesharksify]

i want a samsung one Ui on a honor v2 hardware

[@JMTMarc]

That would be awesome 😎

[@Engineer20201]

I think installing Microsoft Launcher or Nova and then installing the apk apps of Samsung or other Google store apps can solveany problem oof the above but the biggest issue I have seen is switching from cover to fold screens dont regain ty3 screen properly

[@JMTMarc]

The issue with alternative launchers is their lack of dual-screen layout support for the inner screen, resulting in a stretched homescreen appearance

[@TheTenth666]

the only really annoying thing is these notifications for nothing happening, hope it can be solved by update Anyone here have the same problem? is it 2 or 3 times a day or very often? anyone find a solution?

[@JMTMarc]

hese notifications are somewhat annoying, though not excessively so. They pop up about 5-7 times a day, if I were to guess. Nevertheless, they should definitely be addressed in the next firmware update.

[@seanwu8629]

Will Honor Magic V3 have wireless charging? If it does I am 100% sold

[@JMTMarc]

Would be great. Hope to see some rumors soon 🤩

[@yves2075]

I come from a Ms Surface Duo, so you know... my Magic V2 shines in comparison! IMO, part of the fault is Android itself, which needs to improve its support for foldables.

[@JMTMarc]

Oh yes, I can imagine that. It's just like always with Android, many manufacturers, many devices, all approaching it a bit differently. It's not easy for developers.

[@petermupandawana4548]

The problem is that people want features they have seen on other devices. I use magicos if you are used to it it's very good especially now with magicos 8.

[@JMTMarc]

I agree! I personally also like MagicOS, but I wanted to make this video to summarize everything people are saying.

[@sumitpalsingh5262]

Magic 8.0 has been released n soon it will be updated on magic V2 .. it would be good if you have guided on that rather wasting time on this as many new features has been added in that..

[@JMTMarc]

We'll see. I did the video because Honor recently released the global version, and many people were asking about the software experience with the latest release. Of course, I'll do an updated video about MagicOS8.

[@sumitpalsingh5262]

@@JMTMarc thank you .. I will be looking forward for that ... Keep it up your good work .. blessings

[@amerqureshi3802]

Let's hope the android 14 comes might improve alot things.

[@JMTMarc]

Very much looking forward to Android 14 on the V2!

[@amerqureshi3802]

After you have used the phone what do you think people should purchase honour magic V2 . Or look else where

[@JMTMarc]

This phone is outstanding, competing closely with the OnePlus Open. While its camera quality doesn't match that of OnePlus, its build quality and overall design, including the aspect ratio and format, are truly impressive.

[@amerqureshi3802]

That's good to hear I heard alot reviews saying the oneplus better camera. What would you recommend OnePlus or honour V2 magic.

[@Vic-sz4wx]

A THUMB UP for that Grand Seiko on your wrist! ;-)

[@JMTMarc]

Haha, very attentive. It's a wonderful watch.

[@stevesx10]

The software experience is very similar on my Magic 5 pro with the exception of the foldable specific things. I really wish phone companies wouldn't mess with android so much that it's nothing like how Google intended. Google needs to rein in these companies if they want to use their OS then stop messing with it.

[@JMTMarc]

I agree. The less they alter core Android, the better, although some customizations can be beneficial, like those implemented by OnePlus for multitasking. Stock Android's multitasking capabilities are somewhat limited. Finding the right balance is key.

[@stevesx10]

@@JMTMarc I come from a long line of Google devices and I eventually got fed up with Google lacks the hardware but software kept me for a long time. I knew I didn't want Samsung or iPhone. OnePlus wasn't offered on my carrier. I got the Honor because it has great hardware for a good price. The camera set up and the snapdragon 8 gen 2 with 12gb & 512gb I am paying £11 less a month than I was paying for a 2 year old pixel 6 pro. Honor has exactly the opposite problem than Google where the software is frankly horrifying and hardware is great. There isn't even a dedicated area on xda developers for Magic 5 pro therefore no roms, kernel's, themes etc. Only the childish things in their Honor store thing. I almost want to return this phone we're it not for the fact I couldn't get close to this spec device again for the same amount of money. OnePlus 12 handset alone is more expensive and then I would need SIM only for my network stuff. I haven't had this a week yet and I shouldn't be thinking like this

[@fabiolaspina2832]

Instead the user interface of the iPhone is very new... the same from ONLY 10 years! So, how much money Apple give you?

[@JMTMarc]

You got me -.-

[@fusspot8685]

This guy doesn't like emui 😂 even some unique features only available in huawei and honor😅

[@JMTMarc]

No idea! Never used EMUI. But I like HarmonyOS, its not bad.

[@Dedalus11973]

Just get Nova launcher and most of these gripes will disappear :)

[@JMTMarc]

The thing with Nova and other similar launchers when you use them on foldable phones is kind of a bummer. They just stretch out the homescreen layout to fit the bigger inner screen, rather than giving us the option to set up two separate homescreen pages for it. At least, that's the situation as far as I'm aware.

[@helterskelzer3883]

Gestures have been broken on 3rd party of years so it's not an option for a lot of people

[@EinReiseTagebuch]

Warum sprechen Sie nicht einfach Deutsch? Es gibt doch genug englische Beiträge über das Thema.

[@JMTMarc]

Zielgruppe ist nicht groß genug und ich möchte eine internationale community.

[@helterskelzer3883]

Because I understand English 😊