Apple unveiled its first foldable phone on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, becoming the latest manufacturer to enter a smartphone market where folding devices have proliferated in recent months, according to a report by TF1info.
The report featured in "C'est déjà demain," a technology segment on TF1's morning programme "Bonjour !", presented by technology journalist Anicet Mbida. Mbida said this year marks a turning point for foldable phones, a decade after the format first began generating buzz.
Foldable phones fold in half along a hinge, using a flexible screen that lets the device switch between the size of a standard smartphone and a larger, tablet-like display when opened. Samsung's Galaxy Fold, launched in 2019, was among the first foldable phones to reach the mass market, and manufacturers including Google and Huawei have released their own folding models in the years since. Motorola later revived its classic Razr name for a flip-style foldable, and several other brands have introduced similar designs at a range of price points.
The category has also faced persistent questions over price and durability, since foldable phones typically cost more than standard smartphones and their hinges and flexible screens have been more prone to wear than a conventional glass display. The appeal of the format lies in being able to unfold a larger screen for tasks such as watching video or multitasking, then fold it back down to pocket size.
Apple's foldable debut
Apple had long stayed out of the category even as rivals built up folding phone lineups. Its decision to launch a foldable device this week, alongside a wave of other new models from competitors, is what Mbida pointed to as evidence that the format has finally broken through after years of slow, incremental releases.
Comparisons to an iPad-iPhone hybrid
A separate TF1info article on Apple's new device suggested it looks as though an iPad and an iPhone had produced offspring, and asked whether the product could shake up the foldable phone market.
"Bonjour !" airs on weekday mornings on TF1, France's leading private television network, combining news updates with lifestyle and consumer segments. "C'est déjà demain" is its recurring feature on new technology and innovation.
Mbida is a French technology journalist who regularly appears on television and radio to explain new gadgets and digital trends to a general audience.
The segment was produced by TF1info's video editorial team and published Thursday, September 10, 2026, as part of the outlet's recurring coverage of consumer technology trends on France's "Bonjour !" morning show.
