Tim Cook may step down as Apple CEO “as soon as next year”. The Financial Times reports that Apple’s board of directors and senior executives “recently intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins”.
While a successor is unlikely to be named at the next earnings report in January 2026, an announcement earlier in the year is plausible, as it would give Apple ample time for a smooth leadership transition ahead of WWDC 2026 in June and the iPhone launch in September.
Furthermore, Apple is doing very well now. The iPhone 17 series has been mostly well-received, and word on the street is that Apple will finally unveil its foldable iPhone next year. And thanks to the excellence of Apple’s custom silicon, Macs have never been in a better position. All things consider, what better time is there for Cook to hand the reins over to his successor?
Cook took over the reins from Steve Jobs in August 2011 and turned 65 this year, which is close to the typical retirement age in the US. Under his leadership, Apple saw unprecedented growth with the launch of the Apple Watch and the expansion of services such as Apple Music and Apple TV+.
John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is widely considered to be Cook’s successor. Bloomberg recently reported that Ternus has been gaining visibility within the company and has taken on a more prominent role in shaping Apple’s product direction. He has overseen the design and engineering of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac in recent years.
Source: The Financial Times via MacRumors