Apple is entering a new era: after 15 years at the helm, CEO Tim Cook is stepping down, handing the company over to John Ternus — the senior vice president of hardware engineering who has spent more than 25 years at the corporation. RBC-Ukraine reports this, citing Mark Gurman's analysis for Bloomberg. Ternus will become the third CEO of Apple since 1997, following Steve Jobs and Cook himself, who took over the company in August 2011, succeeding the co-founder.

Cook's Farewell and New Role

On August 31, Cook published an address to employees announcing the end of his tenure as CEO. He is not, however, leaving Apple entirely: taking on the role of Executive Chairman of the Board, he will focus on engaging with politicians and government bodies around the world, including maintaining direct contacts with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and with Chinese authorities. In his farewell letter, Cook emphasized the importance of corporate culture, stating that "this place is proof that culture wins," and thanked the team for being a "constant source of inspiration."

A Hardware Specialist at the Top

Ternus's appointment, having previously led hardware engineering, is read as a signal of Apple's desire to strengthen its focus on performance engineering and product execution. Under his direct leadership, the company shipped a number of its latest products. Cook, for his part, noted: "I feel a tremendous sense of relief handing the wheel to someone as brilliant, wonderful, and capable as John. Few understand what it takes to build world-changing products the way John does."

A Purge of the Middle Management

Unlike Cook, who in 2011 relied on a stable team of managers, the new CEO faces the need to replace the key leadership tier: most of the current vice presidents are approaching retirement age (60+) and preparing to step down. In the crosshairs are Johny Srouji (senior vice president of hardware technology, the architect of Apple Silicon), Deirdre O'Brien (with Apple since 1988, retail and HR), Luca Maestri (former CFO, final departure expected), and Greg Josviak (marketing, with the company since 1986). Among those being considered for their roles are, in particular, Lilian Rincón and Kaan Dranc.

The AI Race and the First Test

Ternus takes the reins at a moment when Apple must adapt its vast device portfolio and services business to the demands of the artificial intelligence era. The new leader's first public test is set for September 9 — just 8 days after he takes office. The traditional autumn event is expected to debut the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and announce the company's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra.

Contradictory Data

The sources contain a minor discrepancy in the transition dates. The Russian-language coverage (RBC-Ukraine) names September 1, 2026 as Cook's last day as CEO, whereas the wording in his English social-media post — "on my last day as CEO. My title changes tomorrow" — indicates that the post was published on August 31, with the change of status taking place the following day, September 1. Thus, both versions agree that the actual transfer of authority to Ternus occurred on September 1, but they differ on which exact day Cook himself called "his last day as CEO."