iPhone Air Designer Abandons Apple for AI Startup Amid Struggling Sales

Abidur Chowdhury, the industrial designer behind Apple's iPhone Air, has left the company to join an unnamed artificial intelligence startup, according to Bloomberg. This departure comes as the ultrathin device continues to struggle with disappointing sales since its September launch. Chowdhury, who spent more than six years at Apple, earned a high-profile assignment narrating the iPhone Air's two-minute design video during the company's September event. The news of Chowdhury's departure reportedly created ripples internally, given his rising prominence within the design team. However, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman stated that his exit was unrelated to the iPhone Air's underwhelming market performance. "Abidur's departure was a personal decision, and not directly related to the iPhone Air's sales," Gurman said in an interview. Chowdhury's departure marks another significant loss for Apple's design division, which has experienced near-complete turnover since legendary design chief Jony Ive departed in 2019. The iPhone Air, positioned between the baseline iPhone 17 and the more premium iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in terms of pricing, has faced challenges in the market. The phone's camera and battery life have been criticized by some reviewers, which may have contributed to its disappointing sales. The iPhone Air's struggles come as the smartphone market continues to evolve, with consumers increasingly seeking devices with advanced features and longer battery life. Apple's decision to position the iPhone Air as a mid-range device has raised questions about its strategy in the market. "The iPhone Air was a bold move by Apple, but it seems they may have misjudged the market," said Daniel Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. The departure of Chowdhury and other key designers from Apple's design division has raised concerns about the company's ability to innovate and compete in the market. However, Apple has not commented on the departure or its impact on the company's design division. As the iPhone Air continues to struggle, Apple will need to reassess its strategy and make adjustments to stay competitive in the market. In the coming weeks, Apple is expected to release new iPhone models, which may provide a clearer picture of the company's strategy in the market. The departure of Chowdhury and other key designers will likely be a topic of discussion at the company's upcoming earnings call, where investors will be looking for signs of improvement in the company's design division.