Apple Inc. is set for a significant leadership transition, marking the end of an era as Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook prepares to step down after more than a decade in charge of the tech giant.
The company confirmed that Cook will hand over the CEO role to its current head of hardware engineering, John Ternus, with the change scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2026. The decision follows unanimous approval from Apple’s board of directors.
Cook, who took over leadership in 2011, will continue in his role until the end of the summer before transitioning into a new position as Executive Chairman.
As part of the broader restructuring, current chairman Arthur Levinson is expected to become Lead Independent Director, while Ternus will formally join the company’s board.
Ternus, 50, is a longtime Apple executive whose career with the company spans more than two decades. He joined Apple in 2001 as a member of its product design team and steadily climbed the ranks to become Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.
Throughout his tenure, he has been deeply involved in the development of some of Apple’s most important products, including the iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
He also played a crucial role in one of the company’s most significant technical shifts—the move from Intel processors to Apple’s own silicon in Mac computers—a transition widely credited with improving performance and energy efficiency.
The leadership change comes at a time when Apple is navigating increasing competition across the global technology landscape, particularly in artificial intelligence.
The company has faced growing pressure to accelerate its AI strategy, especially amid delays in upgrading its Siri assistant and its reliance on external partnerships to enhance its capabilities.
During Cook’s leadership, Apple expanded far beyond its core hardware business. Its services division grew into a major revenue driver, generating over $100 billion annually.
The company also achieved remarkable financial growth, reaching an estimated market value of about $3.6 trillion, while nearly doubling its overall revenue.
At the same time, Apple made notable progress in reducing the environmental impact of its products, including cutting carbon emissions.
Ternus now steps into the top role at a pivotal moment. He is expected to balance Apple’s continued dominance in hardware with the urgent need to innovate in software and artificial intelligence, areas that will likely define the company’s next phase.
