Tim Cook will eventually step down as Apple's CEO, but probably not in 2026

Tim Cook took over the leadership of Apple in 2011 following the death of Steve Jobs and has since played a pivotal role in transforming Apple into one of the world's most valuable companies. Cook turned 65 this month, and in recent weeks rumors have emerged suggesting he may step down as Apple's CEO next year.

The Financial Times recently reported that Apple is preparing for Tim Cook's potential retirement between late January and June, with John Ternus, the senior vice president of hardware engineering, seen as the leading candidate to succeed him. However, a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that stepping down in 2026 may not be part of Cook's plans.

Gurman says that, according to his sources, Tim Cook is unlikely to leave Apple in the middle of next year, and that any such news would more likely come from Apple itself as part of preparing Wall Street for the transition.

"Given Apple's tremendous success under Cook, his steady leadership after the death of Steve Jobs, and his relationship with both shareholders and the board, he has earned the right to decide his own future," Gurman said.

While John Ternus has reportedly taken on more responsibilities within the company, people inside Apple believe that Tim Cook loves his job, and that even after retiring, he may remain at Apple as chairman.

Next year is shaping up to be one of Apple's most pivotal years, with the company planning to launch its first foldable iPhone and overhaul the iPhone release schedule. In other words, Apple will already be navigating a major transition in 2026, and replacing the CEO in the middle of such a critical period doesn't seem like a wise move.

John Ternus is widely seen as Apple's next CEO, but the question now is simply when he will officially assume the role after Tim Cook.