Apple Designer Who Created iPhone Air Leaves Company Amid Underwhelming Sales
A former Apple designer who played a key role in creating the iPhone Air has left the company after just six years with Apple. Abidur Chowdhury, an industrial designer who was responsible for promoting the iPhone Air when it launched last year, has reportedly parted ways with Apple due to his dissatisfaction with the product's performance.
Chowdhury joined Apple in 2019, around the time that Jony Ive, the company's chief design officer at the time, left the company after disagreements over the direction of the Apple Watch project. The move was seen as a significant shakeup for the company, but according to Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg reporter who broke the news of Chowdhury's departure, it is not directly related to the iPhone Air's poor sales.
The iPhone Air has been met with mixed reviews from critics and consumers alike, who have criticized its weighty design and battery life. Some have speculated that the phone may be being used as a testbed for future products, such as smart glasses or foldable iPhones.
Gurman described Chowdhury's resignation as "a ripple effect within the design team," suggesting that the move has had an impact on the company's internal dynamics.
The departure comes as Apple delays the rollout of the next iPhone Air model, citing a need for further refinement. While the second generation is still expected to launch in 2027, the delay has raised questions about the company's confidence in its products.
In a series of tweets, Gurman downplayed the significance of Chowdhury's departure, emphasizing that it is not related to any major issues with the iPhone Air. However, the move may have implications for Apple's design team and its ability to create innovative products in the future.
A former Apple designer who played a key role in creating the iPhone Air has left the company after just six years with Apple. Abidur Chowdhury, an industrial designer who was responsible for promoting the iPhone Air when it launched last year, has reportedly parted ways with Apple due to his dissatisfaction with the product's performance.
Chowdhury joined Apple in 2019, around the time that Jony Ive, the company's chief design officer at the time, left the company after disagreements over the direction of the Apple Watch project. The move was seen as a significant shakeup for the company, but according to Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg reporter who broke the news of Chowdhury's departure, it is not directly related to the iPhone Air's poor sales.
The iPhone Air has been met with mixed reviews from critics and consumers alike, who have criticized its weighty design and battery life. Some have speculated that the phone may be being used as a testbed for future products, such as smart glasses or foldable iPhones.
Gurman described Chowdhury's resignation as "a ripple effect within the design team," suggesting that the move has had an impact on the company's internal dynamics.
The departure comes as Apple delays the rollout of the next iPhone Air model, citing a need for further refinement. While the second generation is still expected to launch in 2027, the delay has raised questions about the company's confidence in its products.
In a series of tweets, Gurman downplayed the significance of Chowdhury's departure, emphasizing that it is not related to any major issues with the iPhone Air. However, the move may have implications for Apple's design team and its ability to create innovative products in the future.
I'm kinda surprised but also not surprised at all... 
Abidur Chowdhury leaving Apple after just six years doesn't necessarily mean he hated his job or the company, it could be about personal reasons or getting bored with the iPhone Air's performance... 
6 years is a decent chunk of time to work on a product and still decide it's not for you. Maybe he wants to try something new or start his own design firm? 
It's also interesting that Apple delayed the next iPhone Air model, could be related to Chowdhury's departure or just a coincidence... 
Either way, I hope whatever comes next from Apple is innovative and game-changing for users. 
. I feel bad for the designers who are stuck with it now tho 
idk wut more u want from a phone tho? it just doesnt seem to impress ppl anymore 
like apple needs to step up their game or else theyre gonna get left behind by everyone else 
. It'll be interesting to see what Apple does next - maybe they'll take Chowdhury's input into consideration for the next iPhone Air? 
! Abidur Chowdhury, the designer behind iPhone Air, is outta there after 6 years 
. I mean, it's not like it's the worst thing Apple has ever made, but... same 
. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what they come up with next 
. Anyone else thinking that maybe the iPhone Air was just a testbed for something way more epic? 
. I'm curious, what's the story with this delay on the next iPhone Air model? Is it just a case of "good things take time"? 
I guess you could say his departure is like when our school's design project doesn't quite win the competition... you still feel a bit disappointed and wanna know what went wrong 
!
... what do you guys think? Should Apple be more open about their design process and not keep designers on the down-low? 
. Guess you never know what's going on behind the scenes at Apple 
. Maybe he just got bored with the design process or something 
, you're dropping a designer like abidur chowdhury over underwhelming sales of iphone air? what's the point of even having designers if they can't even make a product that sells well? i mean, i know the design team has been through some changes, but this is just ridiculous. maybe apple should focus on making products people actually want to buy instead of trying to reinvent the wheel with gadgets nobody needs 
