Abidur Choudhury, the lead designer behind Apple’s iPhone Air, has left the company following the device’s disappointing market performance. The iPhone Air, unveiled during Apple’s September event, was widely viewed as one of the company’s weakest product launches in recent years, with sales and customer reception falling short of expectations.
Choudhury’s departure marks a notable shift within Apple’s hardware design organization, as the company continues to reassess its product strategy amid intensifying competition in the smartphone market. According to people familiar with the matter, the designer has already joined an undisclosed artificial intelligence startup, signaling a move toward the rapidly expanding AI sector.
The transition comes as Apple faces growing pressure to accelerate innovation across its hardware lineup. Analysts say high-profile exits could influence upcoming design cycles, though Apple maintains robust internal teams to manage ongoing device development.