Overview
- Apple, which announced the leadership change Monday, said Tim Cook will become executive chairman and John Ternus will take over as CEO on September 1, 2026.
- At a Tuesday all‑hands meeting, Cook said he is healthy and plans to stay long term in his new role, positioning the move as a planned handoff rather than a response to health concerns.
- Ternus told employees Apple will “again change the world,” put product design at the center, and make artificial intelligence a core driver of new devices and services.
- Reporting by Mark Gurman says Ternus has reorganized hardware and AI work and is expected to oversee a first foldable iPhone, which Apple has not confirmed.
- Explaining his timing, Cook said he waited for a strong product roadmap, strong results, and a ready successor, and he later reflected on his tenure by labeling the flawed Apple Maps launch a first major mistake and highlighting Apple Watch as a proud achievement.