Tim Cook Steps Down as Apple CEO, Handing Reins to John Ternus

Tim Cook's 15-year tenure as Apple CEO comes to an end on September 1, when he passes the baton to John Ternus, currently Apple hardware chief. During his time at the helm, Cook transformed Apple from a $350 billion company into a behemoth worth over $4.5 trillion.

Cook's focus on supply chain management and operational efficiency helped turn Apple's cutting-edge products into best-sellers. He also created a 'values-driven' culture within the company, generating trillions of dollars in revenue through consumer loyalty and dependency.

Under Cook, Apple's annual sales rose from $108 billion to $416 billion, while profits grew more than fourfold to $112 billion. The company's wearables business, including iPhone accessories like the Apple Watch and AirPods, brought in $35 billion in sales in fiscal 2025.

Ternus will face significant challenges as he takes over, particularly in the AI space where Apple lags behind competitors. Critics have accused Cook of failing to innovate beyond the iPhone, with some products like the Vision Pro augmented-reality headset struggling to gain traction.