Tim Cook is stepping into a new era at Apple. The company announced that Cook will transition to executive chairman of the board, while longtime hardware leader John Ternus will take over as chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2026.
The move marks one of the most significant leadership shifts in Apple’s modern history, ending Cook’s 15-year run as CEO while keeping him closely tied to the company’s future. He will remain in the role through the summer, working alongside Ternus to ensure a smooth transition.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple,” Cook said. “John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor… he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.”
Ternus, who has spent more than two decades at Apple, has played a central role in shaping the company’s hardware strategy, overseeing engineering across major product lines including iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch. He officially joined Apple’s executive team in 2021 and is widely seen as a product-first leader with deep institutional knowledge.
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” Ternus said. “I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place.”
The transition follows years of internal succession planning and comes at a time when Apple is operating at an unprecedented scale. Under Cook’s leadership, the company grew from a market valuation of roughly $350 billion in 2011 to more than $4 trillion, while expanding its global footprint to over 200 countries and building an installed base of more than 2.5 billion devices.
Cook also oversaw the launch of entirely new product categories, including Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, while transforming services into a business generating more than $100 billion annually. His tenure further cemented Apple’s focus on privacy, accessibility, and sustainability, including a more than 60 percent reduction in carbon footprint since 2015.
Ternus now inherits a company at peak scale, with a mandate to continue pushing innovation across hardware, materials, and performance. His work has already helped define the modern Mac lineup and contributed to major advancements in Apple-designed silicon, durability, and product design.
Arthur Levinson, Apple’s longtime chairman, will transition to the role of lead independent director, while Ternus will join the company’s board in his new role as CEO.
For Apple, the message is clear.
This is not a reset.
It is a handoff.
Reel 360 News wishes John the best of luck in his new role.
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