John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, has officially seen his responsibilities expanded to include the oversight of Apple’s design teams, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This transition, which began in late 2025, places Ternus at the helm of both hardware and software design—a role traditionally reserved for the company’s most influential figures. While Cook remains firmly in control, the decision to give Ternus authority over the “look and feel” of future products suggests he is the frontrunner to become the next CEO.
Ternus is now operating as the “executive sponsor” for all design work at Apple Park. This means he acts as the primary bridge between the creative staff and the executive team, representing the design organization during high-level strategy meetings. This arrangement is somewhat unusual for Apple, where reporting lines are typically very rigid. Insiders suggest the move was handled discreetly to avoid making Tim Cook appear as though he is retreating from his duties too early. However, the reality is that Ternus is now gaining the broad operational exposure required to lead a multi-trillion-dollar enterprise into its next chapter.
At 50 years old, Ternus is the youngest member of Apple’s executive leadership team. This gives him a significant “runway” to lead the company for many years, much like Cook has done since 2011. He is widely respected within the company for his calm temperament and his technical success, most notably leading the complex transition of the Mac lineup from Intel chips to Apple Silicon.
Beyond his technical chops, Ternus has increasingly become the public face of the company. If you watched recent Apple Events, you likely saw him introducing the groundbreaking iPhone Air or leading deep-dive interviews on product strategy. His ability to balance technical engineering with a keen eye for product vision makes him a unique hybrid leader.
This change comes during a period of unprecedented turnover within Apple’s top ranks. Longtime Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams retired at the end of 2025, and Alan Dye, the former head of Human Interface Design, recently departed for Meta. These exits have forced a reorganization that places more weight on Ternus and the newly appointed COO, Sabih Khan.
What do you think of John Ternus taking the lead? Do you believe a hardware-focused leader is what Apple needs to stay ahead in the AI era? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Stay updated with the latest news on this by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
