iPhone executive to leave Apple

Mark Papermaster, Apple's senior vice president of iPhone and iPod hardware engineering, is leaving the company, Apple spokesman Steve Dowling told reporters Saturday evening.

Papermaster's responsibilities include overseeing hardware for the iPhone. Apple made headlines when problems emerged with the antenna surrounding the iPhone 4 that caused dropped calls. CEO Steve Jobs announced last month that Apple will gives users free cases to address the problem.

Dowling would not elaborate on whether Papermaster left the company voluntarily or was fired.

Bob Mansfield, Apple's senior vice president of Macintosh hardware engineering, will take over Papermaster's duties. Mansfield oversees components for the iPhone and iPod touch.