Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple CEO in 2026, John Ternus Named Successor
Apple is heading into a major leadership change. Tim Cook, who has led the company since 2011, will step down as Apple CEO on September 1, 2026.
Taking over the top job is John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering. Cook will stay in charge through the summer to help with the handover, before moving into the role of executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors.
The decision was approved unanimously by Apple’s board, according to the company.
Why this matters for Malaysia and SEA
For Malaysian Apple users, this is not just corporate boardroom drama. Apple’s products are everywhere here — iPhones for daily use, iPads for students and creators, MacBooks for work, AirPods on every LRT ride, and Apple Watches for the fitness crowd.
A CEO change usually does not mean your next iPhone suddenly becomes totally different overnight. But it can shape the company’s long-term priorities, especially around hardware design, product pricing, device ecosystems, and how aggressively Apple pushes new categories.
That matters in SEA, where buyers are very price-sensitive. In Malaysia, every iPhone launch comes with the same big questions: how much in RM, is it worth upgrading, and does it beat the Android flagships from Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor, Oppo, and others? If Ternus brings a stronger hardware-first approach, Apple’s next era could be interesting for gamers, mobile creators, and power users who care about performance and battery life.
Cook’s Apple era was massive
Cook joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011, taking over after Steve Jobs. During his time leading the company, Apple expanded far beyond the iPhone.
Under Cook, Apple pushed out major products and services including Apple Watch, Apple Music, Apple TV, and more. The company also grew by over 100,000 employees and expanded its installed base by more than 2.5 billion devices.
In his statement, Cook called leading Apple the greatest privilege of his life and praised the company’s teams for building products and services used around the world. He also backed Ternus strongly, describing him as an engineer, innovator, and leader with integrity.
Who is John Ternus?
Ternus is not some outsider parachuting in. He joined Apple in 2001 and became vice president of hardware engineering in 2013. Apple credits him with important work on products such as the iPad and AirPods, as well as helping shape the modern Mac.
Most recently, Ternus was involved with the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup and iPhone Air.
That background gives a pretty clear signal: Apple’s next CEO is deeply tied to the company’s device-making DNA. For fans who care about actual products rather than just services, that is worth watching.
Ternus said he is grateful for the opportunity and noted that he has spent almost his entire career at Apple, working under Steve Jobs and later with Cook as his mentor. He said he wants to carry Apple’s mission forward while leading with the values that have defined the company.
Board changes are coming too
Cook’s move to executive chairman will also shift Apple’s board structure. Arthur Levinson, currently non-executive chairman, will become lead independent director once Cook takes his new role.
Cook also shared a more personal message on Apple’s website, thanking the tech community for supporting him since he became CEO in 2011. He described Ternus as the right person for the job and said Apple will reach new heights under his leadership.
For now, the practical takeaway is simple: Apple has over a year to manage the transition, so don’t expect sudden chaos. But by late 2026, the company behind the iPhone, Mac, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch will officially enter a new chapter — and SEA users should keep an eye on what that means for future devices and RM pricing.
Source: IGN
