Several netizens have recently shared images of Apple’s 5th-anniversary commemorative plaques, each adorned with the signature of the incoming CEO, John Ternus. This gesture subtly hints at the looming departure of Tim Cook. Cook first joined Apple in 1998 and has been at the helm as CEO since 2011. Under his leadership, Apple has introduced groundbreaking products like the Apple Watch and services such as iCloud, solidifying its position as a tech giant.
John Ternus, born in 1975, became a part of the Apple family in 2001. He is set to take over the reins from Cook as the new CEO on September 1, 2026. Ternus has been instrumental in the hardware engineering of several key Apple products, showcasing his deep understanding and expertise in the field.
Apple is scheduled to host its autumn new product launch event at 9:00 AM local time on September 9 (which translates to 1:00 AM Beijing Time on September 10). This event will mark Ternus’s debut as CEO in a launch capacity. Anticipation is high for the unveiling of the new folding-screen variants of the iPhone 18 Pro/Max and Ultra series, which are expected to redefine the smartphone landscape.