Report: Apple might already be preparing for Tim Cook's retirement

Tim Cook has served as Apple’s CEO since August 2011, succeeding Steve Jobs, the company’s legendary founder and former CEO. Over the past 14 years, Apple has undergone significant transformations under Cook’s leadership, reaching a valuation of nearly $4 trillion. Many industry experts believe that Apple would not be where it is today without Tim Cook.

As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Tim Cook will turn 65 next month, and Apple’s board may already be considering his potential successor. John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is reportedly the leading candidate to replace Cook for several reasons.

First, John Ternus has a strong technical background, and as Apple’s hardware engineering chief, he has played a pivotal role in the company’s product development. According to Gurman, “Apple probably needs more of a technologist than a sales or operations person.” Given that Apple has faced several shortcomings in areas such as generative AI and mixed reality, the company’s board is more likely to favor a leader with a hardware and engineering background.

“Apple has had great success designing its own chips, but the company has stumbled in areas such as mixed reality, generative AI, the smart home, and autonomous vehicles. That could lead the board to conclude that a product engineering leader like Ternus is the answer, despite him not being known internally as someone who pursues big bets.”

The second determining factor is age. Many of Apple’s senior executives are now over 60 and approaching retirement. However, at 50, Ternus still has the potential to lead Apple for at least the next decade.

According to Gurman, Apple’s marketing and public relations teams are now trying to give John Ternus more public exposure. He asserts, “Those close to the company see little doubt that Ternus will eventually be CEO.”

At Apple’s September event this year, Ternus was responsible for introducing the iPhone Air — one of Apple’s key products and the foundation for the next generation of iPhone design.

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Posted Monday 6 October 2025 at 6:00 pm AEST (my time).

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