Apple CEO Succession: Tim Cook Signals Fatigue, John Ternus Emerges as Top Candidate

• Tim Cook, 65, has reportedly expressed fatigue and a desire to scale back responsibilities, prompting Apple's board to accelerate CEO succession planning.
• Cook is expected to transition to a board chairman role rather than leaving Apple entirely.
• John Ternus, Apple's 50-year-old head of hardware engineering, is increasingly seen as Cook's natural successor due to his temperament, management style, and deep understanding of operations.
• Ternus played key roles in strategic product decisions, including LiDAR sensors for iPhones, the thinner iPhone Air, and the transition to Apple silicon for Macs.
• The next CEO will face challenges like geopolitical uncertainty, tariff risks, reliance on Chinese manufacturing, and the need to advance in AI, balancing operational strength with innovation.

Why It Matters: Apple is actively planning CEO succession as Tim Cook eyes a board role, with John Ternus a leading candidate.