Who is John Ternus? Why He's the Top Pick to Succeed Tim Cook
Reports suggest Tim Cook could step down as Apple CEO in 2026, and internal consensus reportedly points to John Ternus as the likely successor. Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, joined the company in 2001 and has led hardware development across the iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and the Mac silicon transition. At 50, he is seen as the most balanced long-term candidate within Apple’s leadership.
