Is Tim Cook leaving Apple? Here’s what we know so far

Apple is reportedly accelerating its long-term succession planning amid rising uncertainty over whether Tim Cook may step down as CEO as early as next year.

According to the the Financial Times, senior executives and the board are preparing for a possible transition shortly after the Cupertino-based tech giant’s January earnings, giving an incoming leader a smoother runway ahead of major events like WWDC.

The 65-year-old CEO has led Apple since 2011, steering the company from a valuation of $350 billion to more than $4 trillion.

Despite that meteoric rise, insiders noted that the company is now struggling to define its next big shift, especially as global rivals race ahead in AI.

This has intensified internal discussions about ensuring Apple remains competitive if a leadership change occurs.

While no firm decision has been made, hardware engineering chief John Ternus is emerging as the successor.

Ternus’ deep technical background and years of leading flagship device development reportedly make him the board’s preferred choice.

Still, the timing remains unkonwn, and Cook has not formally communicated any departure plan.

For now, Apple maintains that its leadership strategy is stable, yet the growing buzz around Cook and a potential handover ensures the question of Apple’s future direction will remain front and center in the months ahead.