John Ternus will become CEO of Apple Inc. on September 1, 2026. This transition marks a significant change in leadership for the tech giant. Tim Cook will step down after 15 years as CEO and move into the role of executive chairman.
Ternus has a long history with Apple. He has been with the company since 2001, joining the product design team. He became vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and joined the executive team in 2021 as senior vice president. His experience spans over two decades and includes a focus on product development.
Under Cook’s leadership, Apple has seen remarkable growth. The company’s market capitalization skyrocketed from approximately $350 billion to $4 trillion. Annual revenue increased from $108 billion in fiscal year 2011 to more than $416 billion in fiscal year 2025. Additionally, Apple now boasts an active installed base of over 2.5 billion devices.
Cook has overseen the launch of numerous successful products, including the Apple Watch and AirPods. He described his tenure as “the greatest privilege of my life” in a recent statement. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company.
Ternus expressed excitement about his new role, stating, “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward.” He emphasized his commitment to being hands-on in his leadership approach.
Arthur Levinson will take over as lead independent director on the same day Ternus assumes the CEO position. This change hints at a broader shift within Apple’s leadership structure.
Yet, challenges remain for Ternus as he steps into this role. Details around potential strategic changes or new product directions under his leadership remain unconfirmed.
The tech industry will be watching closely as John Ternus takes over as CEO of Apple Inc., marking a new chapter for one of the world’s most valuable companies.
