Apple’s head of iPhone and Apple Watch product design is leaving

Earlier this week it was reported that Steve Hotelling — Apple’s senior executive overseeing touch-screen technology, health sensors and the company’s Face ID interface — is leaving the company. Now Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the exec in charge of product design for the iPhone and smartwatch is stepping down in February.

Tang Tan, whose title is vice president of product design, is leaving in February, the article says, quoting unnamed “people with knowledge of the matter.” Tan reports to John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, and the division is reshuffling duties to handle the transition.

Head of ‌iPhone‌ product design Richard Dinh will take over ‌iPhone‌ development for Tan and will report directly to Ternus, while Mac hardware engineering vice president Kate Bergeron will handle Apple Watch design.

Apple employees that spoke to Bloomberg said Tan’s departure is “a blow” because he’s responsible for making critical decisions about the ‌iPhone‌, Apple Watch, and AirPods. His team has control over product features and design.