John Ternus Takes the Reins as Apple's New CEO
By Editor • September 1, 2026 • 2 min read
In a significant leadership shift, John Ternus has officially become Apple's new CEO, succeeding Tim Cook after 15 years at the helm. Ternus, who was previously the senior vice president for hardware engineering, stepped into the role on Tuesday as part of a planned transition announced in April.
Ternus has a long history with Apple, having joined the company in 2001 as part of the product design team. Over the years, he has steadily ascended through the ranks, becoming vice president of hardware engineering in 2013 and achieving his most recent promotion in 2021. His academic credentials include a degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and prior to Apple, he worked on virtual reality technologies at Virtual Research Systems.
Analysts view Ternus's promotion as a clear signal that Apple is intensifying its focus on hardware innovation, especially as the company prepares to launch new products. Babak Hafezi, an international business professor, noted that this move intertwines artificial intelligence with Apple's hardware strategy, marking a pivotal moment in the company's evolution.
On September 9, Apple is set to announce its latest iPhone alongside its entry into the foldable phone market, a sector currently dominated by Samsung. Market estimates suggest Apple could ship as many as 17 million foldable iPhones by the end of next year, capturing 40 percent of the market share.
Additionally, Ternus will oversee the rollout of an updated version of Siri, designed to offer more personalized and conversational interactions for users. This new update aims to enhance Siri's functionality by allowing it to sift through personal emails and messages to provide contextually relevant responses.
Despite facing criticism for a slower pace in the generative AI space compared to competitors like OpenAI, some experts believe Apple's focus on hardware could ultimately benefit its AI initiatives in the long run. As the company navigates supply chain challenges and geopolitical tensions, Ternus's leadership will be crucial for maintaining Apple's momentum.
In his first day as CEO, the company's stock rose by 2.2 percent, reflecting investor confidence in Ternus’s capabilities to succeed Cook, under whose leadership Apple's stock increased by a staggering 2,258 percent.
Source: www.aljazeera.com
