When it comes to foldable smartphones, endurance is often the sticking point. HONOR has just set out to prove that it doesn’t have to be. To celebrate the launch of its new foldable flagship, the HONOR Magic V5, the brand staged a unique endurance trial called “The Unbroken Read.”

The concept was as bold as it was brilliant: could the Magic V5’s new 5,820mAh silicon-carbon battery last long enough to power through all 4,300 pages of Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time—one of the longest novels ever written—on a single charge?

Spoiler alert: it did.

A Marathon of Words, Powered by HONOR

HONOR teamed up with professional speed reader Jordan Harry, founder of StudyFast, to take on the mammoth reading challenge. Across 30.5 hours, Harry read every word—1.2 million words and 7 million characters in total—directly from the Magic V5’s foldable display.

And the most impressive part? At the end of the ultramarathon session, the Magic V5 still had 10% battery remaining.

For HONOR, the feat wasn’t just about completing a quirky stunt. It was designed to send a message: battery anxiety shouldn’t define the modern smartphone experience.

“We set out to prove that battery anxiety doesn’t have to be part of the smartphone experience,” said Bond Zhang, CEO of HONOR UK & Ireland. “What the HONOR Magic V5 offers is freedom from interruption, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in any activity—whether it’s reading the world’s longest novel, running a marathon, or binge-watching a favorite series.”

A Fusion of Human and Tech Endurance

Harry himself saw the challenge as more than just a test of speed reading.

“Reading 4,300 pages in under 40 hours, on a single charge, is an incredible achievement that I’m extremely proud of,” said Jordan Harry, Director at StudyFast. “The Magic V5’s outstanding battery life, lightweight design, and stunning screen not only made this possible but enjoyable. I stayed immersed in the text without once worrying about power.”

Built for the Long Haul

Beyond its battery endurance, the HONOR Magic V5 packs in hardware designed for both productivity and play.

• Displays: A 7.95-inch foldable main display and 6.43-inch outer display deliver expansive viewing options for work, reading, or entertainment.

• Slim & Durable: At just 4.1mm when unfolded and weighing 217g, the Magic V5 is lighter and slimmer than many smartphones, thanks to a shock-absorbing yet durable build.

• Finishes: Available in Dawn Gold, Ivory White, and Black, the device pairs performance with premium design.

The Numbers That Matter

Here’s how “The Unbroken Read” challenge stacked up:

• Total time reading: 30.5 hours

• Pages read: 4,300

• Words consumed: 1.2 million

• Characters: 7 million

• Battery remaining at the end: 10%

A Statement on Endurance

While many foldables still struggle with battery longevity, HONOR’s latest experiment proves that the Magic V5 can go the distance. It’s more than a marketing stunt—it’s a statement of intent that smartphones should offer uninterrupted freedom, no matter how ambitious the task.

For users, that translates into fewer interruptions, whether you’re tackling work marathons, gaming sessions, or just your favourite Netflix binge.

The HONOR Magic V5 has officially raised the bar for foldable endurance—and in true HONOR style, it did so with flair.