iPhone Air Designer Leaves Apple: Challenges in Retaining Innovators

In recent times, there has been a growing sentiment—whether justifiably or not—that Apple is struggling to hold onto its most innovative personnel. A notable example is Abidur Chowdhury, the designer of the highly anticipated iPhone Air, who has decided to leave Apple for new opportunities at an AI startup.

Mark Gurman Reports: iPhone Air Designer Abidur Chowdhury Departures to AI Startup

NEW: The rising Apple designer who introduced the iPhone Air during the company’s September keynote and worked on the device has left for an AI startup.https://t.co/NhjU7h3aCM

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) November 17, 2025

According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Chowdhury, who has made quite a name for himself at Apple, has opted to transition from his role at the tech giant to explore the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. Interestingly, his LinkedIn profile still lists Apple as his current place of employment, a detail that raises questions about his departure timeline.

Gurman emphasizes that Chowdhury’s exit seems to be unrelated to the declining sales figures of the ultra-thin iPhone Air. Notably, Apple had projected that this model would account for approximately 6% to 8% of its total iPhone sales. Furthermore, the iPhone Air serves as an essential platform for Apple to experiment with emerging technologies.

Recent discussions suggested a possible delay for the iPhone Air 2, initially tipped for a 2027 release. The speculation centers on equipping the device with a dual-camera system. However, Gurman argues against this notion, pointing out that redesigning for a less popular camera features seems impractical for a device with limited market appeal.

Instead, Gurman indicates that the delay may be linked to the anticipated A20 chip, which is set to integrate TSMC’s advanced 2nm process along with Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging. This innovative packaging method allows for the direct stacking of components like the system-on-chip (SoC) and DRAM at the wafer level.

Given the constraints on TSMC’s 2nm technology, Apple’s revised schedule may reflect a strategy to align the iPhone Air’s launch alongside the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, aiming for a spring 2027 introduction rather than the previously targeted fall 2026 timeline. This adjustment could efficiently manage the supply limitations associated with the new A20 chip.

The Ongoing Talent Exodus at Apple

As was previously mentioned, Apple is facing a talent drain not just in the rapidly evolving AI sector. The company’s core iPhone design division is also experiencing notable departures, including transfers to Jony Ive’s newly acquired io, which is pursuing ambitious plans for a device intended to compete with the iPhone, characterized as a screenless, portable form factor.

Recent updates indicate that OpenAI has brought on board around two dozen former Apple team members—covering a range of roles from design to hardware engineering and user interface development—to contribute to this so-called “iPhone Killer”project. Notable hires include Matt Theobald, renowned for his expertise in manufacturing design, and Cyrus Daniel Irani, a leading figure in human interface design.

Source & Images