According to 9to5Mac, Apple CEO Tim Cook turned 65 on November 1st, immediately renewing speculation about his eventual successor. While Cook said back in 2021 he doesn’t expect to still be at Apple in 2031, there’s no sign of immediate retirement. The longtime favorite candidate, COO Jeff Williams, was ruled out when he announced his retirement back in July. Current frontrunners include hardware engineering chief John Ternus, who’s reportedly favored by Eddy Cue, and new COO Sabih Khan, who Cook praised extensively. Other potential candidates like Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi face various challenges, making this one of tech’s most watched succession battles.
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The Obvious Choice Isn’t So Obvious
For years, everyone assumed Jeff Williams would slide right into Cook’s role. I mean, it made perfect sense – he was literally sitting in the same COO chair Cook occupied before becoming CEO. But that theory went out the window this summer when Williams decided to retire. So much for the obvious successor.
Now the spotlight shifts to John Ternus, and honestly, he sounds almost too perfect for the job. He’s described as mild-mannered, careful with emails, and a “reticent decision-maker” – basically Tim Cook 2.0. When Eddy Cue, Cook’s closest confidant, is privately telling colleagues Ternus should be next CEO, you have to pay attention. But here’s the thing: does Apple really want another operations-focused leader, or do they need someone with more product vision?
The Dark Horse Candidate
Sabih Khan is the name most people outside Apple haven’t heard, but he might be the most interesting candidate. He just took over Williams’ COO role, and Cook’s praise for him was absolutely glowing. We’re talking about the person who helped reduce Apple’s carbon footprint by over 60 percent while managing their insane global supply chain. That’s no small feat.
Think about it – if Cook plans to stick around for another five years or so, that gives Khan plenty of time to become more visible and prove himself. The COO-to-CEO pipeline worked beautifully last time, so why mess with success? Plus, his sustainability credentials align perfectly with where Apple wants to position itself for the future.
Why This Really Matters
Look, Apple is at a crossroads. The iPhone isn’t the growth engine it once was, Vision Pro is still finding its footing, and they desperately need another category-defining product. Cook himself reportedly wants to oversee one more major new product category before stepping down. If Vision Pro is just an “interim product” as the source suggests, then Apple Glasses could be that next big thing.
The next CEO will likely be the person who shepherds Apple into the post-iPhone era. That’s enormous pressure. Do they go with the safe, Cook-like operator in Ternus? Or take a chance on someone like Khan who understands the manufacturing and sustainability challenges that will define Apple’s next decade?
What’s clear is that the decision is being made right now, even if we won’t see the results for years. For the latest Apple speculation, follow 9to5Mac on Twitter or check out their YouTube channel. Who would you pick to lead the world’s most valuable company into its next chapter?
