John Ternus New Apple CEO as Tim Cook Steps Down After 15 Years

John Ternus new Apple CEO transition takes effect Tuesday, as Tim Cook hands over the role after 15 years at the helm. Ternus, largely unknown outside the tech industry, takes charge just days before Apple is expected to unveil a new foldable iPhone at an event at its California headquarters.

Tech analyst Francisco Jeronimo of Industrial Design Consultancy told The Telegraph the timing was deliberate, letting Ternus open his tenure on stage with a major product reveal instead of Cook. He noted that pairing the handover with a big launch signals a shift in emphasis at the company.

Under Cook, Apple grew into one of the world's most valuable companies, now worth more than $4.5 trillion, roughly 12 times its value when he took over from Steve Jobs. iPhone revenue reached $226 billion in 2025, up from $155 billion a decade earlier. Cook also expanded Apple's lineup with AirPods, the Apple Watch and several subscription services. Not every bet paid off: Project Titan, Apple's car initiative, was cancelled in 2024, and the Vision Pro headset has been seen as underwhelming.

The rise of AI chatbots is raising questions about Apple's future, as such tools challenge the traditional app-based smartphone model. Jeronimo argued that everyday tasks like booking a cab or making a payment may soon happen through AI instead of individual apps. Apple has faced its own AI delays, including a postponed "Siri 2.0" now expected within weeks.

Ternus, 51, is a mechanical engineer who has led Apple's hardware division for five years and previously oversaw AirPods development. He joined Apple in 2001 and has worked under both Jobs and Cook. Cook will become Apple's chairman and remain influential, following what Apple called a "thoughtful, long-term succession planning process." In a staff letter, Cook described Ternus as a "visionary in his own right." Analysts at Bank of America said Ternus's task will be to protect Apple's profitable core while restoring a sharper sense of innovation.

Apple is expected to unveil several products in the coming years, including AirPods with built-in cameras and a tabletop robot that can follow users around a room. Cook is expected to keep leading Apple's political engagement, including ties with the Trump administration, similar to the arrangement Jeff Bezos has kept at Amazon after stepping down as CEO.

For more on the transition, see Apple's official announcement via Apple Newsroom.

Also Read: Tim Cook's Apple Legacy: From $350 Billion to $4 Trillion