Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO? Here’s who could take charge

Tim Cook

Is Tim Cook finally leaving Apple? That’s the big question making waves in the tech world. Cook, who has been Apple’s CEO since 2011, turns 65 next month, and reports suggest that serious discussions about who could replace him are already underway.

Over the years, Apple has seen several high-profile exits. Design chief Jony Ive and retail head Angela Ahrendts left in 2019, while CFO Luca Maestri and COO Jeff Williams stepped away more recently. But none of these departures stirred as much buzz as the thought of Cook eventually handing over the reins.

So, who’s next in line? According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the strongest contender is John Ternus, Apple’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Ternus has been at Apple for nearly 24 years and has become a key decision-maker, shaping product strategies and features that go far beyond his hardware role.

At 50, Ternus is considered the right age to take charge for at least a decade if things go smoothly. Coincidentally, Tim Cook was also 50 when he became CEO. Gurman points out that most other senior executives at Apple are either too young or nearing retirement, which makes Ternus the most balanced option.

His growing influence is easy to see. Ternus introduced the iPhone Air, Apple’s first new iPhone form factor in years, and even greeted customers at Apple’s Regent Street store in London during the iPhone 17 launch. Loyalists within the company also view him positively, and Cook himself is said to trust him deeply.

In case of an emergency, Apple could temporarily hand the role to COO Sabih Khan or retail head Deirdre O’Brien, but if a formal succession happens, all signs point toward Ternus as Cook’s natural successor.

For now, Cook hasn’t made any official announcement about stepping down. But with speculation heating up, Apple fans and investors are watching closely. If John Ternus does take over, he will not only inherit one of the most powerful jobs in tech but also the responsibility of leading Apple into its next big era.