Who is Abidur Chowdhury, the Designer Behind Apple’s Thinnest iPhone?
Cupertino, September 9, 2025: Apple has unveiled its slimmest iPhone yet — the iPhone 17 Air — at its “Over Dropping” event in Cupertino. Designed with ultra-thin titanium and dual-side ceramic shield protection, the futuristic device carries the creative touch of Abidur Chowdhury, a young industrial designer at Apple.
Born and raised in London, England, Chowdhury now lives in San Francisco and works as an industrial designer. He describes himself as someone passionate about problem-solving, learning, and creating products that people “cannot live without.”
Academic Journey and Early Career
Abidur holds a degree in Product Design and Technology from Loughborough University in the UK. During his student years, he interned at Cambridge Consultants and Curventa, before starting his career at Layer Design, a London-based design agency.
From 2018 to 2019, he ran his own consultancy, Abidur Chowdhury Design, collaborating with design agencies, startups, and innovation-driven companies. His work involved product development, user experiences, and strategic design solutions.
In January 2019, Chowdhury joined Apple in Cupertino, California, where he became part of the company’s industrial design team. His portfolio now includes several innovative products, the latest being the groundbreaking iPhone 17 Air.
Recognition and Awards
Chowdhury earned multiple prestigious awards during his academic journey, including the 3D Hubs Student Grant for Product Design, the James Dyson Foundation Bursary, and the New Designers Kenwood Appliances Award. He also won first place in the Seymour Powell Design Week competition.
According to his LinkedIn profile, his “Plug and Play” design won the Red Dot Design Award in 2016. Media reports suggest that Abidur Chowdhury has roots in Bangladesh.
iPhone 17 Air – Apple’s Slimmest Innovation
The iPhone 17 Air, Apple’s latest marvel, is just 5.6mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone ever. Built with 80% recycled titanium, it features a 6.5-inch ProMotion display with dual ceramic shields for durability.
Powered by a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU with second-generation dynamic caching, the device promises MacBook Pro-like performance along with advanced on-device AI capabilities. The camera system includes a 12MP 2x telephoto lens and a new 18MP Center Stage camera, delivering high-quality imaging within the ultra-thin frame.
The device runs exclusively on e-SIM technology and comes with a full-day battery life. Apple has also introduced new MagSafe accessories and custom cases to complement the launch.
