Apple has lost another key figure from its design team. Abidur Chowdhury, the industrial designer who introduced the iPhone Air during Apple’s September event, has left the company for an unnamed artificial intelligence startup.
Chowdhury joined Apple in 2019. Over the past six years, he built a strong reputation inside the team, which is why his departure surprised many people who viewed him as one of the division’s rising voices.
Bloomberg reports that people familiar with the move said it created buzz within Apple because of his growing profile. Although his next destination remains undisclosed, his LinkedIn page still lists Apple as his current employer.
As you look at the broader picture, this loss fits into a larger trend. Apple’s design team has faced repeated exits in recent years, many of them heading toward Jony Ive’s ‘io’ team. Bloomberg’s reporting also connects Chowdhury’s exit to this ongoing shift, even though his departure is not related to the launch of the iPhone Air.
A Design Team in Transition
Chowdhury played a key role in developing the iPhone Air and later appeared in its launch video, which Apple treats as a high-profile assignment. His work contributed to a phone that earned praise for its design, even though its sales did not match expectations. Apple still plans a second-generation iPhone Air in 2027.
At the same time, the design group itself has seen a near-complete overhaul since Ive left. Many senior members retired or moved on, leaving the team now filled with newer recruits and younger designers. Leadership has shifted, too. Jeff Williams, who oversaw design for years, left Apple last week. The human interface group under Alan Dye has also seen major changes.
Apple said in July that the design teams now report directly to CEO Tim Cook. The company hopes this structure stabilizes a division that once defined Apple’s identity and now sits at a critical turning point.
