Why is the Timing of the Apple CEO Change Important?

Publication Date: 26.04.2026

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On September 1, 2026, John Ternus will officially take office as Apple's CEO. Here’s why this timing is important for Ternus and Apple.

Apple's Annual September Event

Firstly, John Ternus will take office as CEO just two weeks before the date Apple is likely to hold its annual September event. This event has always been of great importance to Apple, but this year's event will be particularly significant as Apple is expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone.

Foldable iPhone

As previously mentioned, this fall, Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone. This is certainly an important launch for Apple, but it is even more significant for John Ternus. According to Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter today, “Ternus oversaw the engineering and product development processes of the device,” so it makes sense for him to be the face of the new product. Similarly, he was also the one who introduced the iPhone Air last year.

During his time at Apple, Ternus has worked hard to enhance the performance, battery life, and reliability of the iPad. This is particularly evident in the recent iPad Pro models. In fact, Gurman notes that “the idea of Ternus managing this process will come to the forefront during the launch period.” Since last year, Ternus has increasingly appeared in interviews related to the launch of the iPhone 17 series. Considering all this, it is likely that Ternus will have an even greater presence at this year’s iPhone launch.

Entering the Holiday Quarter

Starting on September 1 means Ternus will be CEO just a few weeks before Apple’s holiday quarter begins at the end of September. This quarter has always been Apple’s biggest, as it encompasses the annual iPhone launch and the holiday season. This year should be no different; Apple is expected to break its previous holiday quarter records and is projected to generate nearly $150 billion in revenue. This will provide Ternus with a strong and positive start.

A Strong Product Lineup

In today’s Power On newsletter, Gurman notes that when Tim Cook became CEO in 2011, Apple had a strong product lineup both at that time and for the future. The iPad 2 had just been released, the iPhone 4S was introduced shortly after with Siri, and the following year saw the launch of many great products like the iPhone 5, iPad mini, and Retina display MacBook Pro. John Ternus is in a similar position: the latest iPhone lineup is certainly the strongest ever, every MacBook has been refreshed with tremendous new chips, and the MacBook Neo is helping the Mac reach more people and break records. Furthermore, Apple is expected to enter many new product categories with exciting new products.

An Exciting Time

This is an exciting time for Apple. A new CEO, many new products, and even new product lines are coming, the MacBook Neo is shaking up the PC industry, and more. What are you most curious about? Share with us in the comments!

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