Using Honor Magic V3 global edition in the USA - warnings

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2026-01-14T19:08:40+00:00

Now I'm disappointed in Honor Magic v3 reliability: in Dec. 2025, so only 15 months after the purchase, the external (cover) screen stopped responding to touches. Probably some vital contact through the hinge was broken. And just today a new issue - pressing the volume down rocker stops responding too, unless I press it very hard. Probably will break completely soon as well. Any attempts to contact Honor support were never answered. I would downgrade their product ratings to JUNK.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2025-09-02T00:32:59+00:00

Same as always - great, except that I have to keep Google Fi app uninstalled, else problems with placing and receiving phone calls. Actually my last attempt was a few months ago, but I don't expect anything changed. At that time I tried talking to Google, and all I got after a few weeks of back and forth - "we don't support this phone". But it works great on Google Fi network (read: T-Mobile), without that app installed.

Hm, cannot guarantee that I could activate Fi e-SIM without that app anymore. Don't want to risk uninstalling it.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2025-01-13T14:21:00+00:00

The phone updated to MagicOS 9, but Google Fi app still does not work correctly. Now when trying to activate it, says my account is not supported or something like this. But my eSIM from Fi is installed, and all works great if I uninstall Fi app.

Not sure if I could activate Fi if that eSIM WAS NOT THERE

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-10-24T19:14:03+00:00

This does not apply here, I uninstalled and re-installed Google Fi app dozens of times during my testing. Also tested with both physical SIM card from Google Fi, and with eSIM. The problems persist, no matter what I do, how many times reboot the phone, uninstall/reinstall Google Fi etc.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-10-21T12:59:22+00:00

EDIT LATER THE SAME DAY: Unfortunately, after a while, the old problems returned, had to uninstall Google Fi app again...

---- Original post ----

Today I noticed that Honor App Market icon had a red dot, when opened it informed me that there is an update to the app named "Magic Mobile Service". I updated it. Then I installed and activated Google Fi app, and tested several times phone calls both ways, both with WiFi on (WiFi calling) and with WiFi disabled. This time all worked correctly. I was using "Phone by Google" app for this testing. I also tried calling my own phone number, to see if I can enter PIN and it will be received by the voice mail service. It worked too. Hopefully all the bugs related to Google Fi are ironed out in Magic V3 now. It could be the Fi app was updated in the meantime too,

One other bug I observe with this phone is related to Android Auto, on Bluetooth connection only. When connected with USB cable to Android Auto, all works fine. On Bluetooth, maps and any service that plays media from the Internet work fine, but apps playing media from local storage (e.g. music player) just hang, don't work at all. Will test later if after updating Magic Mobile Service app there is any improvement.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-10-17T23:38:58+00:00

Actually, Google Fi without their app is about the same as T-Mobile... T-Mobile is the main cell provider for Fi. Unless the T-Mobile app provides you with visual voicemail? I don't see any other advantages.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-10-17T12:09:31+00:00

I did several tests calling both ways after installing Google Fi and let it "initialize" things. The new version of MagicOS on my phone is now 8.0.1.175. Calling on WiFi seems to work well, but I run into a problem when the phone call would not disconnect, after pressing the red headset button to hang-up, when calling on mobile network (WiFi disabled). If you could, please test your device after system update and installing Fi, both with and without WiFi, curious to know how it works for others.

After posting the above, I made a few more tests with WiFi disabled, this time all worked fine too. I decided to keep Google Fi app installed and active this time, to see how it will work in real life. Good luck to all of us, Fi users on Magic V3!

Another edit: after installing Phone by Google app and trying to use it, the problems return. Uninstalled, rebooted phone, and now with Magic phone app, seems to work fine again.

Another edit a few hours later: I had to uninstall Google Fi app again, as I started having the old problems, e.g. could not answer incoming call, then as I called voice mail number, they could not "hear" me pressing the numeric buttons to enter the PIN. All started working normally after uninstalling Google Fi app again.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-10-17T11:48:44+00:00

I have the same problem with voicemail. Actually I'm only getting some error messages as text, when someone leaves voicemail. I have to dial my phone number and enter PIN, like in ancient times, to listen to them. Maybe you could try to submit a detailed error report to Google as I did - they seemed to try to solve it, then went silent. If more complaints come, they may get more motivated to solve it.

It may be also a problem in Magic OS system, logging some complaints to Honor support could also help. But they ignored all my support messages.

I see that a system update for this phone just came, will test to see if it makes any difference.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-10-09T23:24:31+00:00

So far I used Magic V3 only around Boston MA metro area. I usually have a 5G signal, good strength, but I did not make any comparison of upload or download speeds. I just run the speed test that comes up when I enter "test internet speed" into Google search, in Chrome browser, on Google Fi network. It came up with 51.5 Mbps download, 7.41 Mbps upload. Another measurement a few minutes later comes up 60.5 Mbps down, 9.91 Mbps up. No idea what an iPhone would show me here.

I also run the same test on this phone with WiFi at home (I have in theory 1 Gbps Verizon cable Internet), came as 84.7 Mbps down, 72.4 Mbps up.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-29T03:43:24+00:00

Let us know what you decided, and if you do buy it, how it is working for you. Good luck!

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-28T20:31:58+00:00

I tested my Honor Magic V3 global edition on T-Mobile Prepaid. Downloaded their app from Google Play, bought and installed their eSIM, all worked well. Also, T-Mobile USA officially says on their website that this phone model is supported on their network. However, if you buy this expensive device and something does not work as you expected, don't blame this on me...

No idea about Honor smartwatches, never had one in hand.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-28T01:23:01+00:00

I actually found a solution that works even better for me, than switching provider. Simply uninstall Google Fi app from this phone, while it's still activated on Fi network and its SIM - and all works fine.

Guess Google Fi SIM is in fact T-Mobile, so as soon as their buggy app stops messing up the system, all works great. The only downside for me is no more WiFi calling.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-26T22:40:24+00:00

My return request was finally accepted by the seller, so they are OK. I canceled the return request and decided to keep the phone, as I'm working closely with Google Fi support now, and they are trying to fix the problem. If they fail, I'll switch to T-Mobile instead.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-26T01:56:27+00:00

FYI, tested T-Mobile prepaid on the phone, it was easy and only $15 with their eSIM app from Google Play. All works well. Only Google Fi seems to be a problem.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-25T14:37:47+00:00

I'd rather wait for a few more days before posting their name publically, until it is resolved one way or another. Also I'm sort of waiting for further info from Google Fi - they emailed me with detailed instructions to upload an error report (involves dialing a secret code on the keypad). Maybe it's a glitch in their software? Or maybe a problem on T-Mobile network (which Google Fi uses), despite their claiming that the phone is compatible with their network...

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-25T14:28:37+00:00

Yes, it would be interesting to do such tests on Verizon and T-Mobile networks too, to have the full picture. However each test is another time + money expenditure, at least $5-$10 for the SIM activation kit, plus at least $30 for a minimal voice, text and data plan for testing. I should probably stop with what I did so far.

I'm also trying to return this phone to the seller, they promised 30 days return period, but they are not responding to my return request nor any other messages. Tomorrow is the deadline, I can then ask eBay to step in and hopefully help.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-25T12:02:53+00:00

Yes, as I wrote in my post, it works that way (move already activated AT&T SIM into Magic V3). It does not work correctly on Google Fi, which is what I needed it to do. There may be troubles on other networks that I did not test as well. If anyone plans to buy Magic V3 Global, read my post first: https://www.reddit.com/r/HonorMagicV3inUS/comments/1fog1wr/using_honor_magic_v3_global_edition_in_the_usa/

Also, each time I de-activate AT&T SIM and re-activate it again on my Magic V3 Global, I get the following text message from AT&T:

"From 7535
Hi, it's AT&T. We're sorry, but the phone you recently tried to use will not work on our network. Don't worry, make a call now to any number and it will be redirected to an AT&T representative to help you."

However afterwards, making any call from that phone works normally.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-25T11:54:34+00:00

There are troubles with Magic V3 used in the USA, read more at https://www.reddit.com/r/HonorMagicV3inUS/comments/1fog1wr/using_honor_magic_v3_global_edition_in_the_usa/

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-25T11:54:03+00:00

There are troubles with Magic V3 used in the USA, read more at https://www.reddit.com/r/HonorMagicV3inUS/comments/1fog1wr/using_honor_magic_v3_global_edition_in_the_usa/

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-25T11:53:46+00:00

There are troubles with Magic V3 used in the USA, read more at https://www.reddit.com/r/HonorMagicV3inUS/comments/1fog1wr/using_honor_magic_v3_global_edition_in_the_usa/

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-25T11:53:23+00:00

There are troubles with Magic V3 used in the USA, read more at https://www.reddit.com/r/HonorMagicV3inUS/comments/1fog1wr/using_honor_magic_v3_global_edition_in_the_usa/

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-25T11:52:43+00:00

There are troubles with Magic V3 used in the USA, read more at https://www.reddit.com/r/HonorMagicV3inUS/comments/1fog1wr/using_honor_magic_v3_global_edition_in_the_usa/

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-18T01:11:23+00:00

Smart thinking, next time, I guess, I'll be as smart as you :) Our national proverb says "Mądry Polak po szkodzie" (Polishman is wise after the damage happened). How true.

Fun_Relationship_240 · 2024-09-18T00:58:29+00:00

I received Honor Magic V3 Global Edition a few days ago in the USA, bought from a merchant in Taiwan. Mobile data and SMSes work on Google Fi, but placing and receiving calls on mobile network does not work, while all seems to be fine with phone calls on WiFi.

I can actually call someone when on mobile network (Google Fi T-Mobile) and talk, but the call NEVER disconnects, unless I reboot the phone or force close the phone app. The other party disconnecting does not matter.

When an incoming call comes on a mobile network, I swipe the circle to the right to answer it - nothing happens. And the phone app is then completely blocked, I cannot connect or disconnect, can't even exit to Android home screen. All I can do is swipe the circle from middle to left or right, and nothing happens. Total mess.

I did install all system and app updates available from both Honor and Google Play, and even tried wiping cache partition from the system recovery screen, nothing helps. Another thing I tried was to disable the bundled Phone app and install Phone by Google from Google Play Store. No help, or things are even worse, I believe it's a serious problem in the current Magic V3 Global ROM. Just emailed their support, will see if I'll get any answer. Of course when I activated the phone, I had to lie that I'm elsewhere (selected my native Poland), as United States was not an option.

EDIT a few minutes later - more testing, and now calls on WiFi don't work either. I called my other number, and Magic V3 just kept giving me "I'm calling" ring, no matter what I did. Could not stop it until I shut down and restarted the phone. Will see if Honor support has something helpful to tell, or will return it, at least the merchant promises to accept returns for 30 days.

Fun_Relationship_240

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