Apple has reportedly stepped up plans to name a new CEO as early as 2026. Longtime leader Tim Cook, who has served as Apple’s chief executive since 2011, is now 65 and sources tell Fortune that major succession efforts are underway.
According to insiders, Apple’s board and senior executives have “intensified” work on a transition. The Financial Times reports that Apple is unlikely to make a formal announcement before its next earnings report in late January, which covers the critical holiday season.
Among the leading candidates to succeed Tim Cook is John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001, has overseen many of the company’s major products over the years. While Ternus is widely viewed as a natural successor, insiders say no final decisions have been made.
This potential transition is not driven by a drop in Apple’s performance. According to reports, the succession planning is “long-planned” and structural. In fact, the company expects strong end-of-year sales in its next quarter, fueled by holiday demand and likely iPhone launches.
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Under Tim Cook, Apple has grown dramatically. When he took over from Steve Jobs in 2011, Apple’s market value was about US$350 billion. Now, that value stands near US$4 trillion. Cook has overseen major shifts in the company’s strategy, such as increased services revenue, sustainability efforts, and shareholder returns.
Still, some analysts argue that Apple now needs a different type of leadership. A research firm called LightShed said in July 2025 that Apple should consider a CEO who is more product-focused—and less operations-focused like Cook. They argue that Apple’s slower progress on artificial intelligence and designs may require an executive with a stronger product vision.
Part of the leadership transition is already in motion. In July 2025, Apple named long-time insider Sabih Khan as its new Chief Operating Officer, replacing Jeff Williams, who had been seen by some as a top contender to succeed Tim Cook. Khan has been with Apple for more than three decades and brings extensive experience managing operations.
Observers believe Apple may announce Cook’s successor sometime after its January earnings report so that the new leader can be fully in place ahead of major events. These include the annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June and the iPhone product launch in September.
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For Apple, the timing of the leadership transition is critical. The company is pushing into new frontiers like generative AI, cloud services, and hardware innovation. Placing a savvy and technically grounded executive like John Ternus at the helm could help Apple double down on product excellence. On the other hand, Cook’s steady leadership and deep understanding of Apple’s culture make any change a delicate balancing act.
In short, Apple appears to be preparing for the end of the Tim Cook era. The move reflects both continuity and change: a long-planned succession that could usher in a new phase of innovation. Whether Ternus or someone else takes over, stakeholders will be watching closely. For investors, developers, and customers, the leadership shift may well signal Apple’s next chapter.
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