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iPhone Air Presenter Abidur Chowdhury Leaves Apple for Unnamed AI Startup

The exit highlights Apple’s design reset under direct CEO oversight.

Overview

  • Bloomberg reports that Chowdhury has departed for an undisclosed artificial intelligence startup, and Apple has not commented on the move.
  • Chowdhury introduced the iPhone Air in Apple’s September launch video and was described as a key contributor to the ultra‑thin model’s design.
  • People familiar with the matter said his departure is unrelated to the iPhone Air’s weaker‑than‑expected sales.
  • He joined Apple in 2019 and his exit reportedly made waves internally as the design team continues to see turnover dating back to Jony Ive’s departure.
  • Following Jeff Williams’s retirement, Apple’s design organization now reports to Tim Cook, and a second iPhone Air is reportedly targeted for 2027.