Apple is entering a new phase of leadership change. John Ternus, who has held key positions at the company for many years, will take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. He will succeed Tim Cook, who has led Apple since 2011.
A mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, John Ternus began his professional career at the company working on virtual reality systems. He then joined Apple in 2001 and began working on the product design team. Over the course of his nearly 25-year career, he has been closely involved in the development and implementation of many of the company's major products.
A key turning point in John Ternus' career was his appointment as Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2013. In this position, he became one of the key figures shaping the engineering strategy for Apple's major devices. Since 2021, he has been on the company's executive team, reporting directly to Tim Cook.
Ternus is known as one of the main leaders of the company's transition to its own processor architecture - the "Apple Silicon" project, which is considered one of the most important technological transitions in Apple's history. As a result of this transformation, the performance of Mac computers has increased significantly and their position in the market has been strengthened. This successful activity has led Ternus to become one of the main candidates for leadership in the company.
In addition, John Ternus has also played a significant role in the development of Apple's most popular product lines, such as the iPhone, iPad and AirPods. He is also known as a leader who pays special attention to the principles of product sustainability and environmental sustainability.
Recently, Ternus has led the iPhone 17 series, the next generation MacBook models and AirPods projects equipped with hearing health technologies. By assuming the position of CEO from September 1, 2026, he will become a key figure in determining Apple's future technological vision and strategic directions.
