{"id":24707,"date":"2025-11-18T18:37:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T18:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/18\/iphone-air-designer-abidur-chowdhury-quits-apple-to-join-ai-startup-report-tech-news\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T18:37:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T18:37:11","slug":"iphone-air-designer-abidur-chowdhury-quits-apple-to-join-ai-startup-report-tech-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/18\/iphone-air-designer-abidur-chowdhury-quits-apple-to-join-ai-startup-report-tech-news\/","title":{"rendered":"iPhone Air Designer Abidur Chowdhury Quits Apple To Join AI Startup: Report | Tech News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9716769\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">November 18, 2025, 23:52 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9716769\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-2692541183 asubttl-schema\">Abidur Chowdhury was with Apple for more than six years and his exit comes amid a reorganisation of the design division<\/h2>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-2692541183\">\n<figure class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-2692541183 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Abidur Chowdhury was the designer behind the ultra-thin iPhone Air; (right) a man holds up the new iPhone Air during Apple's 'Awe-Dropping' event at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on September 9, 2025. (Image: Abidur Chowdhury\/Nic Coury\/AFP)\" title=\"Abidur Chowdhury was the designer behind the ultra-thin iPhone Air; (right) a man holds up the new iPhone Air during Apple's 'Awe-Dropping' event at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on September 9, 2025. (Image: Abidur Chowdhury\/Nic Coury\/AFP)\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-2692541183\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Abidur Chowdhury was the designer behind the ultra-thin iPhone Air; (right) a man holds up the new iPhone Air during Apple&#8217;s &#8216;Awe-Dropping&#8217; event at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on September 9, 2025. (Image: Abidur Chowdhury\/Nic Coury\/AFP)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\">A key industrial designer for Apple, Abidur Chowdhury, who was behind the ultra-thin iPhone Air, has quit the company to join an undisclosed AI startup.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\">According to reports, Chowdhury was with Apple for more than six years and his exit comes amid a reorganisation of the design division and is reported to be one of a series of high-profile departures within this division.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Chowdhury gained significant prominence within the company after being selected to present the iPhone Air\u2019s design in a video during Apple\u2019s September launch event. Such a visible, public-facing role is typically reserved for key figures and rising talents within the company\u2019s closely guarded design studio, and his exit has reportedly \u201cmade waves&#8221; internally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\">The product he helped create, the iPhone Air, has earned the title of the slimmest iPhone ever released. It was designed with a focus on cutting-edge engineering and minimalism. The device boasts an ultra-thin profile yet incorporates powerful features, including an advanced camera system, enhanced battery life, and a high-performance chip. Although the iPhone Air\u2019s sales performance has been below initial expectations, Chowdhury\u2019s exit is reportedly unrelated to these figures. While the specific AI startup Chowdhury has joined has not been publicly disclosed, his LinkedIn profile still listed Apple as his employer at the time of the report.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Who Is Abidur Chowdhury?<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Abidur Chowdhury was born and raised in London, England, and currently operates as a designer based in San Francisco. His educational background includes a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Product Design and Technology from Loughborough University. While there, he received several prestigious accolades, including first place in the Seymour Powell Design Week competition, the New Designers Kenwood Appliances Award, the James Dyson Foundation Bursary, and the 3D Hubs Student Grant. Furthermore, in 2016, he received the Red Dot Design Award for his \u201cPlug and Play&#8221; concept.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Chowdhury built early industry experience through UK-based internships at Curventa and Cambridge Consultants. Following this, he joined Layer design in London as an Industrial Designer. Before joining Apple, he operated his own consultancy between 2018 and 2019, where he collaborated with design agencies, start-ups, and various companies to create strategies, experiences, and products. He joined Apple in Cupertino as an Industrial Designer in January 2019. Since then, he has contributed to the development of some of Apple\u2019s most innovative products, including the recently launched iPhone Air.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"News Desk\" title=\"News Desk\" src=\"data:image\/jpeg;base64,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\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/news-desk-17918.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">News Desk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d&#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d&#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-2692541183 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rs\">\n<p>November 18, 2025, 23:52 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-2692541183 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/tech\/\">tech<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> iPhone Air Designer Abidur Chowdhury Quits Apple To Join AI Startup: Report<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-2692541183 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/tech\/iphone-air-designer-abidur-chowdhury-quits-apple-to-join-ai-startup-report-ws-l-9716769.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:November 18, 2025, 23:52 IST Abidur Chowdhury was with Apple for more than six years and his exit comes amid a reorganisation of the design division Abidur Chowdhury was the designer behind the ultra-thin iPhone Air; (right) a man holds up the new iPhone Air during Apple&#8217;s &#8216;Awe-Dropping&#8217; event at the Steve Jobs Theater&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tech"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}