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Chowdhury, an industrial designer of Bangladeshi origin, took the stage at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, to unveil the iPhone Air
Chowdhury, who has worked at Apple for the past six years, was born and raised in London. (Photos via LinkedIn/AFP)
Apple broke from tradition at its product launch on Wednesday, as a new face stepped into the spotlight. Abidur Chowdhury, an industrial designer of Bangladeshi origin, took the stage at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, to unveil the iPhone Air, the company’s thinnest and lightest smartphone to date.
Usually fronted by CEO Tim Cook and senior executives, Apple’s launches rarely feature lesser-known team members. But Chowdhury’s calm and confident presentation quickly captured attention.
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At the launch event, Chowdhury described the iPhone Air as “a paradox you have to hold to believe,” adding that the device defies expectations — compact, yet powerful enough to rival the Pro models.
Encased in titanium and just 5.6mm thick, the iPhone Air features a single camera with a telephoto lens and introduces AI-driven photography enhancements. The phone also delivers all-day battery life, thanks to optimised power-saving software, despite its slimmer design. The 256GB model is priced at Rs 1,19,900 in India.
Who Is Abidur Chowdhury?
Abidur Chowdhury, who has worked at Apple for the past six years, is not yet a household name. Born and raised in London, he studied Product Design and Technology at Loughborough University before moving to the United States. His early career included internships at Cambridge Consultants and Curventa, followed by a role at London-based Layer design. He also briefly ran his own consultancy before joining Apple in 2019.
His design work has earned recognition from industry heavyweights. As a student, he received multiple awards, including the Red Dot Design Award, the James Dyson Foundation Bursary, and the 3D Hubs Student Grant. His portfolio reflects a clear design philosophy: developing innovative, user-centred products that people grow attached to.
During Wednesday’s event, Apple also unveiled the iPhone 17 range, which includes the new iPhone Pro 17 and the AirPods Pro 3. The iPhone 17 features the A19 Pro chip — Apple’s most powerful to date — and promises up to 40 hours of video playback.
The AirPods Pro 3 come with improved noise cancellation and real-time translation. Apple also introduced the Apple Watch Series 11, with 5G connectivity, extended battery life, and new health tracking capabilities, pending regulatory clearance.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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September 10, 2025, 16:18 IST
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