Abidur Chowdhury, the celebrated designer behind Apple's iPhone Air, has left the company to join an artificial intelligence (AI) startup. The departure of Chowdhury, who played a key role in developing the ultra-thin iPhone Air, has stirred discussions within the tech giant, given his rising profile within the design team.
Chowdhury's move comes after six years with Apple, where he joined in 2019 around the same time Jony Ive, the company's long-time design chief, departed. Before Apple, Chowdhury gained experience at Cambridge Consultants, Curventa, and Layer, and founded his own design consultancy. He is also an alumnus of Loughborough University’s Product Design & Technology program.
At Apple, Chowdhury's profile grew quickly, and he was entrusted to present the iPhone Air at Apple's September event, detailing the device's design principles in a launch video. This high-profile assignment, traditionally reserved for senior figures, underscored the company's confidence in his abilities.
While the specific AI startup Chowdhury is joining remains unnamed, his move reflects a broader trend of talent shifting towards the burgeoning field of AI. This "brain drain" from Apple's design and AI divisions has seen engineers and researchers defect to companies like Meta, Anthropic, and OpenAI. The shift highlights the increasing allure of AI-focused companies for top tech talent.
Chowdhury's departure is reportedly unrelated to the iPhone Air's sales performance, which, despite positive design feedback, has been underwhelming. Apple had anticipated the device accounting for 6% to 8% of new iPhone sales; however, a second-generation iPhone Air is still slated for 2027, focusing on improved battery performance.
The exit adds to a reshaping of Apple's design organization. Since Jony Ive's exit, many veterans have retired or moved on, including some who joined Ive's firm, LoveFrom, which was acquired by OpenAI. The current design group is now a mix of industry recruits and younger designers. Further changes include Jeff Williams, the long-serving chief operating officer who had oversight of the design team, stepping down, with the design organization now reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook.
Chowdhury's shift to an AI startup comes as Apple balances its celebrated design culture with the realities of a leadership transition. The company's design group has been central to product development, working closely with engineering and manufacturing teams. To maintain its design edge, Apple will need to attract top talent and keep up with changing customer expectations.
