Apple may be preparing for its biggest leadership change in over a decade. According to the Financial Times, the company’s board and senior executives have intensified succession planning, with CEO Tim Cook potentially stepping down as early as next year after 14 years at the helm.
Cook, who recently turned 65, has led Apple through an era of extraordinary growth — from the launch of the Apple Watch and AirPods to the company’s massive transition to Apple Silicon. Under his leadership, Apple’s valuation soared from roughly $350 billion in 2011 to over $4 trillion today, making it the world’s most valuable public company.
John Ternus Emerges as the Frontrunner
Sources say John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, is currently the leading contender to take over. Ternus joined Apple more than two decades ago and played a central role in major hardware developments, including the Mac’s transition away from Intel chips.
Other internal figures, such as Eddy Cue (Services) and Craig Federighi (Software Engineering) — are also seeing expanded responsibilities following the recent retirement of COO Jeff Williams. However, Cook has repeatedly said Apple strongly prefers internal candidates for the top job, and the company already has “very detailed” succession plans in place.
Why Now?
The potential transition does not appear to be tied to Apple’s financial performance. Rather, sources describe it as a long-planned leadership handover, now moving into its final stages.
The timing also aligns with Apple’s internal calendar:
- January earnings report — covering the critical holiday quarter.
- June WWDC — where a new CEO would have time to prepare.
- September iPhone launch — Apple’s most important annual event.
The company is unlikely to announce any change before the January earnings call, but an early-2026 announcement is increasingly likely.
Cook’s Legacy
Tim Cook is widely credited with:
- Building Apple’s global supply chain to unmatched scale
- Expanding services revenue through Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, and iCloud
- Overseeing major new product categories such as Apple Watch, Vision Pro, and AirPods
- Turning Apple into the first $4 trillion public company
At 65, Cook has previously said he wouldn’t stay “for another 10 years,” but gave no specific timeline.
What Comes Next?
If Ternus takes the top job, analysts say Apple may lean further into its hardware-plus-services ecosystem, especially as AI and custom silicon become the company’s long-term strategic pillars.
Still, the timing remains flexible. Sources caution that while preparations have accelerated, an announcement could shift depending on market conditions, Cook’s plans, and internal readiness.
One thing appears certain: after 14 years, the Cook era is closer to its end than ever — and the next chapter of Apple leadership is already being written behind the scenes.
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