Apple on Monday named insider John Ternus as its next CEO, tasking the long-time hardware chief to steer the company after Tim Cook as the iPhone maker gears up for an industry change spurred by artificial intelligence.
Cook, who has led Apple since 2011, will become the company’s executive chairman, Apple said in a statement.
The announcement comes as Apple finds itself at a crossroads while searching for growth beyond the iPhone. The Vision Pro headset fell short of sales targets, with projections cut in half, and the company has pushed back its AI-powered Siri to 2026 as rivals like Microsoft and Google accelerate their artificial intelligence efforts.
Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001 and rose steadily through senior roles in the company’s hardware division. He eventually became a vice president in 2013, taking charge of hardware engineering several years later. In 2021, he joined the company’s executive team.
Ternus, a former champion swimmer, reigns over a portfolio that includes the iPhone, iPad, Mac and AirPods. He also played a central role in the high-stakes shift from Intel processors to the company’s in-house Apple silicon chips.
In recent years, Ternus has also become a familiar presence at major launch events. Ternus has been described as an executive who is “charismatic and well-regarded by Apple loyalists” and who is trusted by Cook, who has granted Ternus more responsibilities, according to Bloomberg News.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
