Overview
- Apple’s board and senior executives have intensified preparations for a post–Tim Cook handover, with sources saying a transition could come as soon as next year.
- Hardware engineering chief John Ternus is widely regarded internally as the leading candidate, though no final decision has been made.
- People close to the company describe the process as long planned and not tied to current performance, with expectations for a strong iPhone holiday period.
- Apple is expected to hold off naming a successor until after its late-January earnings, and sources caution that the timing could still change.
- Recent leadership shifts provide context, including COO Jeff Williams’ retirement, the CFO transition to Kevan Parekh, and expanded operational responsibilities for Sabih Khan.