According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, John Ternus’s promotion to Apple CEO effective September 1 would not mean stepping away from product work. Gurman reports that Ternus plans to hand off much of the company’s financial oversight to CFO Kevan Parekh and shift responsibility for the supply chain to Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan. At the same time, he intends to spend substantial time alongside hardware chief Johny Srouji and head of hardware engineering Tom Marieb, remaining closely engaged in the technical design of Apple’s products.
Scientists confirm: This is the most effective way to get your cat’s attention, according to new research
Elderly Couple Refuses Reserved Seats—Viral Train Standoff Sparks Fiery Debate on Courtesy
Inside the company, Ternus has shared a recollection of an early conversation with Tim Cook about the possibility of succeeding him. Concerned, Ternus reportedly told Cook that he feared he wasn’t like him. Cook’s reply — essentially that he didn’t expect Ternus to be a carbon copy — encouraged Ternus to be authentic. That exchange, Ternus said, left a strong impression on him and helped him realize he should focus his efforts where he can add the most value to Apple rather than trying to emulate Cook’s style.
Having worked frequently with Apple’s design studio while leading hardware engineering, Ternus took direct oversight of the company’s design teams at the end of 2025. He has since become deeply involved with both industrial design and software interface work. Several people familiar with the department say he participates directly in studio projects multiple times a week and sometimes drops by several times in a single day. That hands-on approach is closer to Steve Jobs’s involvement than to Cook’s: Cook was said to visit the studio infrequently — roughly an hour at a time and only about once a month — and was more focused on operational management.
In June, Gurman wrote that Ternus wanted to elevate the design organization and was aware he needed to find a more seasoned leader to oversee the whole unit. The rollout of the iPhone Duo, however, put a spotlight on internal leaders: Steve Lemay and Molly Anderson were highlighted as vice presidents responsible for interfaces and industrial design, respectively.
At the same time, Apple appears to have dropped plans to hire an external design chief. Gurman says no external search of that kind is underway. The company is still adding talent, though: last week it brought on Belgian furniture designer Julien Renault. With Ternus making design a top priority and taking an active personal role in the studio, it seems he has effectively named himself the ultimate authority on design decisions for now. Whether that arrangement will work over the long term remains an open question, given that Ternus is an engineer by training rather than a designer in the traditional sense.
Similar Posts
- New CEOs Revealed: What Are John Ternus and Tim Cook Earning?
- John Ternus Bullish on Apple Vision Pro’s Future: Inside Scoop on Revolutionary Tech!
- Is John Ternus About to Become Apple’s Next CEO? All Signs Point to a Historic Leadership Change
- Apple’s John Ternus Aims High: Plans to Expand Services Skyrocket!
- Apple’s Next CEO Revealed: Why John Ternus Is Set to Lead a New Era
Ethan Rivers focuses on Android smartphones, emerging mobile platforms, and operating systems. With a critical yet fair perspective, he evaluates devices on performance, design, and ecosystem compatibility.