Apple replacing Tim Cook may soon become a reality, according to a new report indicating that the company is preparing for a leadership transition as early as next year. Sources familiar with the internal discussions say Apple’s board and senior executives have already increased their planning to ensure a smooth handover.
Why Apple May Be Preparing to Replace Tim Cook
Tim Cook has led Apple for more than 14 years, steering the company through a period of massive growth and turning it into a $4 trillion tech giant. Since succeeding Steve Jobs in 2011, Cook has overseen the launch of major hardware products like the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro, as well as services such as Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade.
However, insiders say that Apple replacing Tim Cook is now part of a broader long-term succession strategy, especially as the company prepares for its next phase of innovation.
John Ternus Seen as the Leading Candidate for Apple’s CEO Transition
The Financial Times reports that John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, is currently the frontrunner to take over as CEO. While the decision is not yet finalized, executives view Ternus as a natural successor.
Ternus joined Apple in 2001, initially as part of the Product Design team. Over the years, he played a major role in the company’s transition to Apple silicon—a pivotal shift that helped Apple gain greater control over performance, efficiency, and long-term product direction. His engineering leadership has earned him broad internal support.
When Apple Could Announce the Tim Cook Successor
Although no official timeline has been confirmed, the report suggests that Apple is unlikely to announce its new CEO before the January earnings call. At the same time, the company wants to give its next leader enough time to settle into the role before Apple’s major product events later in the year.
This timing aligns with Apple’s historical approach to leadership change—carefully controlled, highly strategic, and designed to minimize disruptions.
What Apple’s Upcoming Leadership Change Means for Its Future
Earlier this year, Apple appointed Sabih Khan as the company’s new chief operating officer, replacing longtime executive Jeff Williams. This move signaled that broader updates to Apple’s leadership structure were underway.
Industry observers believe that strengthening the operational and engineering sides of the business is part of Apple’s plan to support a smooth CEO transition.
What This Transition Means for Apple’s Future
If Apple replacing Tim Cook happens in 2026, it will mark the company’s most significant leadership shift since Steve Jobs handed the reins to Cook. Many analysts expect the transition to focus on continuity, innovation stability, and long-term strategy rather than dramatic shifts in direction.
Apple remains under pressure from intensifying competition, global regulatory scrutiny, and the challenge of defining its post-iPhone era. A carefully planned CEO transition may help the company position itself for this next chapter.
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