How do you replace one of the most successful CEOs in tech history? Apple is wrestling with this exact question as discussions about Tim Cook’s succession have heated up behind closed doors.
Cook has led Apple for over 14 years, transforming the company from a $350 billion business into a $4 trillion giant. That’s like turning a successful neighborhood store into a global empire. Under his leadership, Apple launched hit products like the Apple Watch and AirPods while growing its services division from under $3 billion to over $96 billion annually.
Cook transformed Apple from a $350 billion company into a $4 trillion empire while launching breakthrough products and expanding services revenue.
Now speculation suggests Cook might step down as early as 2026, possibly even next year. Apple’s board and senior executives have reportedly developed “very detailed succession plans” that favor promoting someone from within the company rather than hiring an outsider.
The front-runner appears to be John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Ternus has been with Apple since 2001 and has his fingerprints on virtually every major hardware success.
He helped manage every iPad generation, the latest iPhones, AirPods, and the risky but successful transition from Intel chips to Apple’s own silicon processors.
While Ternus hasn’t been as visible to the public as Cook, he’s appeared more frequently at Apple events recently. This increased spotlight suggests Apple is grooming him for bigger things, like a chef gradually taking on more responsibility in a famous restaurant’s kitchen.
The timing feels urgent because Apple faces mounting challenges. New products like the iPhone Air have disappointed, and competition from Chinese rivals is intensifying.
The company needs someone who can keep innovation flowing while maintaining the smooth operations Cook perfected. Apple’s massive retained earnings from years of profitability provide the new CEO with substantial financial resources for future investments and growth initiatives. Apple became the first publicly traded company to reach a $1 trillion valuation in 2018, setting unprecedented industry benchmarks.
Reports suggest Cook might not disappear entirely after stepping down. He could remain in an advisory role, helping ensure a smooth transition.
This approach would be like having the experienced coach stay on as a mentor while the new coach takes charge. The company plans to announce the succession after earnings to avoid distracting from current business performance.
Apple declined to comment publicly on succession plans, maintaining typical corporate secrecy. However, choosing the right successor represents one of the highest-stakes decisions in modern business history.
