Apple steps up its CEO succession planning as Tim Cook nears possible exit. [Photo: X/Ranjan Singh]
Apple is accelerating its CEO succession planning as Tim Cook prepares to step down as early as next year. The move signals a major leadership shift at the world’s most valuable technology company.
Tim Cook became CEO in 2011 after Steve Jobs stepped down. His leadership oversaw Apple’s rise to a multi-trillion-dollar brand, major product expansions, and a global services push.
According to the report, Apple is unlikely to announce its new CEO until after its next earnings call in late January, which will include the crucial holiday sales period.
Several senior insiders believe John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is the top contender to succeed Cook. The Financial Times cited people familiar with internal discussions who said that Ternus is increasingly seen as the natural choice.
Ternus has steadily risen through Apple’s ranks over more than two decades and holds one of the most influential roles within the company’s product ecosystem.
John Ternus currently serves as Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering and reports directly to Tim Cook. He oversees all major hardware engineering work across product lines like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods.
Ternus joined Apple’s Product Design team in 2001. He became Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and has led engineering efforts for every generation of the iPad, the latest iPhone models, and AirPods.
Before Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Rumours of Cook’s resignation intensified after he turned 65 this year. Apple has not issued any official announcement about his exit. Cook has also avoided giving a fixed timeline.
Last year, when asked how long he plans to stay at Apple, Cook told Wired, “I get asked that question now more than I used to.” He added, “I love this place, Steven. It's a privilege of a lifetime to be here. And I'll do it until the voice in my head says, ‘It's time,’ and then I'll go and focus on what the next chapter looks like.”
Industry experts say the choice of Cook’s successor could reshape Apple’s long-term strategy. Under Cook, Apple focused heavily on supply-chain mastery, services revenue, and incremental hardware improvements.
If John Ternus takes over, analysts expect a stronger emphasis on hardware innovation, including advanced chip design, new device categories, and deeper integration of AI systems into Apple products. This could mark a shift back toward product-centric leadership reminiscent of the Steve Jobs era.
The company’s succession decision will be closely watched by investors, developers, and consumers as Apple enters a transformative decade in AI, mixed reality, and consumer hardware.
