Apple has confirmed that John Ternus, currently the company's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is set to become its next Chief Executive Officer. Ternus will officially take the helm on September 1, 2026, marking the end of Tim Cook's tenure as CEO.
This significant executive transition was approved by Apple's board of directors, following what the company described as a thorough, long-term succession planning process. The appointment positions Ternus to define the next chapter for the tech giant, following in the footsteps of iconic leaders Steve Jobs and Tim Cook.
Tim Cook Endorses Ternus's Leadership
Upon announcing his decision to step down, Tim Cook shared a strong endorsement for his successor. "John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor," Cook stated. He further added that Ternus is "without question the right person to lead Apple into the future," highlighting the board's confidence in his capabilities.
Ternus's Extensive Apple Background
John Ternus is a veteran at Apple, having dedicated 25 years to the company. He initially joined Apple's product design team in 2001. Throughout his distinguished career, Ternus has overseen hardware engineering for nearly every major Apple product released, including the flagship iPhone, the Mac lineup, and the innovative Apple Watch.
Future Challenges and Product Innovation
Ternus's leadership comes at a pivotal moment for Apple, particularly as the company faces increasing pressure to accelerate its advancements in artificial intelligence, an area where several competitors have moved aggressively. His deep engineering background is anticipated to be a key asset in shaping Apple's next wave of hardware innovation and strategic direction.
As he assumes the CEO role in September 2026, industry observers expect Ternus to oversee the launch of the next generation of iPhones, potentially including the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Additionally, there is anticipation for Apple to unveil its first-ever foldable phone, rumored to be named the iPhone Ultra, under his new leadership.