Apple is nearing a pivotal leadership transition as CEO Tim Cook, who has guided the company for 14 years and helped transform it into a $4 trillion giant, is increasingly expected to step aside as early as next year. With Apple seeking to ensure a seamless handover before major strategic milestones, one name has rapidly emerged as the internal favorite: John Ternus, the long-serving head of hardware engineering. Yet as Apple prepares for its next chapter, questions remain about whether Ternus can sustain the company’s momentum while confronting some of its most complex challenges in years.

The Successor Apple Has Been Grooming for Years

For over a decade, Ternus has played a central role in shaping Apple’s hardware evolution. Joining the company in 2001 and rising to senior vice president in 2013, he has overseen key product lines including the iPhone, iPad, and AirPods, while also steering Apple’s strategic shift toward in-house silicon. With former COO Jeff Williams now retired—long seen as Cook’s most probable replacement—the succession calculus has changed materially.

Industry analysts argue that Apple’s next leader must come from within, not only to maintain strategic continuity but also because understanding the company’s culture is essential for navigating its scale. Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management compares the role to running a small country, noting that “John Ternus is the right pick, but he’s also the only pick.” His public presence at Apple’s flagship events and reputation for obsessive precision reinforce that perception.

A Leadership Style Rooted in Engineering Discipline

Ternus embodies the perfectionist ethos long associated with Apple. In a 2024 address at the University of Pennsylvania, he recalled insisting that a supplier alter the number of grooves in a screw on the Apple Cinema Display—from 35 down to Apple’s preferred 25. It was a small detail, but symbolic of Apple’s philosophy: every element matters, even if the customer never sees it.

That mindset mirrors the approach of Apple’s previous visionary leaders. But the role Ternus faces is far broader than engineering oversight. Cook transformed Apple into a services powerhouse, a supply chain juggernaut, and the world’s most valuable public company. Matching that performance will require not only technical fluency but also geopolitical navigation, product strategy, and operational discipline.

A Strong Starting Point, but Mounting Challenges

Whoever succeeds Cook will inherit a company still growing but facing rising scrutiny. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed an antitrust case that could reshape Apple’s longstanding hardware–software integration model. Meanwhile, Wall Street remains skeptical about Apple’s position in the generative AI race, viewing the company as lagging behind its peers despite its enormous installed base.

Ternus’ deep experience across hardware and Apple silicon gives him credibility, but analysts note that delivering the next cycle of innovation—whether in AI, new device categories, or the long-sought successor to the iPhone—will define Apple’s trajectory under its next chief executive.

Looking Forward

Whether Cook steps down in 2025 or opts for a gradual transition, Apple’s leadership shift is already underway. Some experts foresee a co-CEO period to smooth the handover, while others believe Apple will prefer a clear, singular leadership structure. As Apple positions itself for major regulatory, competitive, and technological battles, Ternus’ potential stewardship could mark one of the most consequential chapters in the company’s history.