Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus promises he will be just as much of a profit-focused bean counter as his predecessor, current CEO Tim Cook.
“As you know, one of the hallmarks of Tim’s tenure has been a deep thoughtfulness, deliberateness and discipline when it comes to the financial decision-making of the company,” Ternus said Thursday during Apple’s earnings call with Wall Street analysts. “I want you to know that it’s something Kevan and I intend to continue when I transition into the role in September,” Ternus added, referring to Apple CFO Kevan Parekh.
John Ternus promises fiscal discipline, ‘incredible’ product pipeline
John Ternus‘ commitment to fiscal discipline came as Apple announced yet another record-breaking quarter. Sales of the iPhone 17 lineup — which Cook called “the most popular lineup in our history” during the earnings call — powered the company to $111.2 billion in revenues in Q2 2026. Continued growth in Apple’s services sector, a hallmark of Cook’s time as CEO, also plumped up Apple’s bottom line.
With Cook stepping down in September after an incredible 15 years at the helm, Wall Street is understandably concerned that Apple will continue to function as a well-oiled money machine. At the same time, many Apple observers hold out hope that Ternus — a can-do hardware guy with a long history at the company — might spur an innovation revolution.
As he did during a town-hall meeting with Apple employees earlier this month, where he promised Apple will “change the world once again,” Ternus expressed extreme optimism about the company’s product pipeline.
“This is an especially exciting moment for Apple,” Ternus said Thursday. “As Tim mentioned, we have an incredible roadmap ahead, and while you’re not going to get me to talk about the details of that roadmap, suffice it to say this is the most exciting time in my 25-year career at Apple to be building products and services.”
Cook expressed confidence in Ternus’ ability to continue Apple’s winning streak, saying “there is no one on this planet I trust more to lead Apple into the future than John Ternus.”
He called Ternus “a brilliant engineer, a deep thinker, a person of remarkable character, and a born leader.”
“I know he will push us to go further than we think is possible in order to deliver the greatest products and services for our users,” Cook said. “I have been so proud to call him a colleague and a friend, and I will be even more proud to call him Apple’s CEO.”
Cook also reassured the analysts on the call that he and Ternus will work closely to ensure the best corporate transition ever.
Tim Cook: ‘One of the greatest business leaders of all time’
In return, Ternus paid tribute to Cook, who oversaw Apple’s ascent to a nearly $4 trillion market cap largely by focusing on subscription services like iCloud+, Apple TV and Apple Music during his time at the top.
“In my view, Tim is one of the greatest business leaders of all time,” Ternus said. “Stepping into the role of CEO is an incredible honor, and it means a great deal to me to have Tim’s trust and confidence.”
Ternus wrapped up his brief comments during the earnings call with a typically upbeat prediction for the future.
“There are so many opportunities before us, and I couldn’t be more optimistic about what’s to come for now,” he said. “Let me simply say I am deeply grateful to Tim, to the executive team and everyone at Apple, and I look forward to all of the important work ahead.”
Tim Cook will step down from the CEO role to become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors on September 1. Ternus will take over as Apple CEO at that time.
- See also: Is Tim Cook Apple’s best CEO ever?
Lewis Wallace is the managing editor of Cult of Mac and author of our weekly newsletter, The Weekender.
He’s a San Francisco-based writer and editor specializing in technology and culture. He loves his iPhone, hates Siri, and appreciates any hardware that combines form and function.
Prior to Cult of Mac, he juggled words and ideas as culture editor at Wired.com, homepage editor at TechTV, news product manager at NBCi, copy editor at PC World, reporter at The (Hayward) Daily Review and editor in chief of EveryBody’s News in Cincinnati.
He earned a bachelor of general studies degree with a journalism certificate from the University of Cincinnati. While in school, he worked as the entertainment editor of The News Record and as editor in chief of Clifton Magazine.
He’s also a bass player, who’s recorded and performed around the United States with Those Darn Accordions, The Electric Boogie Dawgz and The Mad Maggies. When not writing, editing or laying down bass lines, he plays darts and serves on the board of the San Francisco Darts League.
