Tim Cook on the Way Out: John Ternus Reportedly Named as His Successor at Apple
After more than ten years at the helm of Apple, Tim Cook appears to be nearing the end of his tenure. According to information from Mark Gurman in his newsletter Power On, the Cupertino-based company may have already chosen his successor.
Unsurprisingly, the name of the future CEO is likely to be John Ternus, the current Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.
John Ternus: The “Obvious” Successor to Tim Cook
According to Gurman, John Ternus’s selection as the future CEO of Apple is “set in stone.” The engineer recently presented the iPhone Air, the new star in Apple’s lineup— a strategic decision intended by the marketing team to familiarize the public with his face.
Unlike some more reserved executives, Ternus projects a friendly and approachable image, which works to his advantage in a company where communication is key.
His name has been associated with the role of natural heir to Tim Cook for several years, and now, even internally, the corporate culture is shifting in that direction.
A Technical and Charismatic Profile
What sets John Ternus apart from other contenders is his background as a pure engineer. While Tim Cook has established himself as a genius in logistics and management, Ternus has a deep understanding of the products he presents. He does not just sell them; he knows how they work and why they exist.
According to Gurman, this technical and passionate approach could bring a “product” focus back to Apple’s leadership, a realm where the company has sometimes been criticized for being overly cautious since the Cook era.
Another key point is that John Ternus is roughly the same age that Tim Cook was when he became CEO in 2011. In recent years, he has been increasingly highlighted during keynotes, interviews, and visits to Apple Stores during product launches. This media positioning is undoubtedly intentional.
What About Other Contenders?
The name Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, often comes up as a credible alternative. Charismatic, popular, and already very present in keynotes, “Hair Force One” (as fans call him) remains well-liked by both the public and employees.
However, age is not in his favor: Federighi is significantly older than Ternus, and Apple seems to be looking for a long-term transition. In this respect, John Ternus appears to be the most rational and sustainable choice to lead the company into the next decade.
A Page of History Soon to Turn
Although no specific date has been set, Tim Cook’s departure seems inevitable in the coming years. The current CEO has established Apple as the most profitable company in the world while diversifying its activities towards services, health, and artificial intelligence.
His more subdued and methodical style has sometimes been mocked, but Tim Cook has indeed marked an era of stability and efficiency, succeeding Steve Jobs in one of the most delicate transitions in digital history. “I will miss those moments when the camera pans down to the stage, and Tim Cook calmly appears center stage, ready to say: Good morning!”
But Apple is evolving. The pace of product launches is changing, the product strategy is shifting— and with John Ternus, the company seems ready to reconnect innovation, engineering, and emotion.
