Apple bets on hardware veteran John Ternus as CEO, Tim Cook shifts to executive chairman role

Apple named long-time hardware chief John Ternus as its next CEO, with incumbent Tim Cook set to transition to the role of executive chairman, marking a major leadership shift at the tech giant as it prepares for the next phase of artificial intelligence-driven competition.

The iPhone maker said the transition will take effect on September 1, 2026, following what it described as a “thoughtful, long-term succession planning process” unanimously approved by its board. Cook will remain CEO through the summer to ensure a smooth handover, the company said on Tuesday.

Ternus, 50, has been a central figure in Apple’s product evolution for more than two decades, having joined the company in 2001. As senior vice president of hardware engineering, he has overseen flagship product lines including the iPhone, Mac and wearables. He is widely credited with reinvigorating Mac sales and sharpening Apple’s premium “Pro” product strategy.

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His elevation signals a tilt back toward product-centric leadership at a time when the global technology landscape is being reshaped by rapid advances in artificial intelligence. Analysts say Ternus will be tasked with steering Apple through a critical phase, as rivals such as Nvidia and Meta Platforms push aggressively into AI-powered hardware and immersive technologies.

A key challenge for the incoming CEO will be embedding AI more deeply across Apple’s ecosystem — particularly the iPhone, its most important revenue driver. While Apple was an early mover with voice assistants such as Siri, it has yet to deliver a breakout AI-first product, even as competitors and startups gain momentum.

Earlier this year, Apple struck a partnership with Alphabet to integrate Google’s Gemini AI into parts of its software ecosystem, underscoring the urgency to bolster its capabilities in the space.

“John has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead,” Cook said in a statement, endorsing his successor.

Cook, who took over from co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011, will move into the executive chairman role, where he is expected to remain closely involved in strategy and policy engagement. During his tenure, Apple’s market capitalisation surged from roughly $350 billion to about $4 trillion, while annual revenue nearly quadrupled.

He also oversaw the expansion of Apple’s services business into a roughly $100 billion segment, alongside the successful build-out of new product categories such as wearables and mixed reality devices. Cook reshaped Apple’s global supply chain and positioned the company as a leader on privacy and sustainability.

The leadership reshuffle includes additional changes at the top. Johny Srouji will take on an expanded role as chief hardware officer, while long-time board chairman Arthur Levinson will become lead independent director.

Ternus, who will also join Apple’s board, said he was “profoundly grateful” for the opportunity and pledged continuity in Apple’s core values while accelerating innovation.

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the company, as it seeks to defend its position in a rapidly evolving industry where artificial intelligence, custom silicon and next-generation devices — from augmented reality glasses to foldable smartphones — are expected to define the next decade of competition.