Apple has unveiled the iPhone Air — its thinnest smartphone yet — during its annual product launch.

Speaking at the Cupertino launch event, Apple industrial designer Abidur Chowdhury said the company’s goal was to “make an iPhone that feels like a piece of the future.”

The iPhone Air is roughly one-third thinner than its predecessor, features a single telephoto camera, and uses AI technology to enhance photography. Battery-optimising software ensures all-day use despite a smaller battery.

“It’s a paradox you have to hold to believe,” Chowdhury remarked, describing the experience of using the ultra-slim device.

The Journey of Abidur Chowdhury

Born and raised in London and now based in San Francisco, Chowdhury describes himself as someone passionate about problem-solving and designing products that “people can’t bear to be without.”

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Product Design and Technology from Loughborough University, winning several prestigious awards during his student years — including the 3D Hubs Student Grant, the James Dyson Foundation Bursary, the Kenwood Appliances Award at New Designers, and first place in the Seymour Powell Design Week competition. In 2016, he received a Red Dot Design Award for his “Plug and Play” project, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Chowdhury interned at Cambridge Consultants and Curventa before joining Layer Design in London as an Industrial Designer. From 2018 to 2019, he ran his own consultancy — Abidur Chowdhury Design — working with design agencies, startups, and innovation-driven companies.

He joined Apple in January 2019 as an Industrial Designer at its Cupertino headquarters and has since been involved in creating some of the company’s most innovative products, including the newly launched iPhone Air.

Total views: 625