Bloomberg’s latest Power On says Apple has put hardware chief John Ternus in the succession spotlight. The same reporting says Apple paused its “Vision Air” plan to push ahead on AI-first smart glasses. Fresh iPad leaks suggest an M5 iPad Pro is close. Together, those moves sharpen the picture of who could follow Tim Cook.
No one is announcing a handover. Cook turns 65 on Nov. 1 and remains firmly in charge. But Williams’ retirement and a reshaped product map change the calculus. The likely shortlist balances execution, silicon and AI depth, and steady stewardship of a 150,000-person company.
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The internal favorite appears to be John Ternus (hardware), followed by Craig Federighi (software), with Sabih Khan (new COO), Johny Srouji (silicon), and Deirdre O’Brien (retail/people) as credible alternatives depending on strategy and timing. The Vision Air pause and smart-glasses push raise the value of leaders with device and platform depth.
What changed this week
Ternus edges into the spotlight
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple has intensified the spotlight on John Ternus, SVP of Hardware Engineering, as the leading internal candidate. That reflects where Apple is investing next, and who has shepherded recent flagship hardware cycles.
Vision Air paused; smart glasses prioritized
Apple has reportedly paused its cheaper, lighter Vision Air revamp to redirect staff to AI-driven smart glasses. Reuters cites Bloomberg’s detail on code-names and timelines: an N50 glasses model pairing to iPhone as soon as next year with a 2027 release, and a display-equipped version targeted for 2028.
M5 iPad Pro leaks add near-term context
Two Russian channels posted unboxing videos of an M5 iPad Pro. The Verge and MacRumors summarize design carryover, missing “iPad Pro” back text, and benchmark gains versus M4. If the M5 iPad is imminent, product cadence continues even as Vision shifts.
The realistic shortlist
John Ternus – hardware chief
Ternus oversees hardware engineering and has been a steady public face at launches. As Apple bets on next gen devices and silicon-tuned hardware, the role fits. Risk: needs to demonstrate external-facing strategy beyond hardware in a more services- and AI-weighted era.
Craig Federighi – software lead
Federighi runs software engineering. If Apple judges AI features, OS integration, and privacy to be the defining edge, a software-first leader is plausible. Risk: investor signals may favor supply-chain continuity in a geopolitically tense period.
Sabih Khan – new COO, ops veteran
With Jeff Williams retiring, Khan becomes the operations anchor. He has run Apple’s global supply chain for years and now holds the COO title. Strength: resilience, manufacturing scale. Risk: less public profile and product-vision storytelling.
Deirdre O’Brien – retail and people
O’Brien blends retail execution and organizational stewardship. In a consumer company with 500-plus stores and a massive workforce, that matters. Risk: limited visibility on AI, silicon, and platform direction.
Johny Srouji – silicon strategy
Srouji built Apple Silicon into a moat. With M-series cadence and custom neural accelerators central to AI, silicon leadership is strategic. Risk: CEO role demands broader external diplomacy and services narrative.
Quick comparison table
| Candidate | Current role | Core strengths | Key risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Ternus | SVP, Hardware Eng. | Device pipeline, cross-team shipping | Services/AI narrative depth |
| Craig Federighi | SVP, Software Eng. | OS, privacy, developer trust | Supply-chain/international ops |
| Sabih Khan | COO | Global manufacturing, risk mgmt | Public market storytelling |
| Deirdre O’Brien | SVP, Retail + People | Retail scale, culture | Platform and product strategy |
| Johny Srouji | SVP, Hardware Tech | Silicon roadmap, AI hardware | External CEO profile |
Factors the board will weigh
Operations continuity after Williams. Apple named Sabih Khan COO in July as part of a planned transition, with Jeff Williams retiring later in the year. That stabilizes ops but leaves a vacuum in the long-running “heir apparent” seat Williams once occupied.
AI, silicon, and device roadmap. With Vision Air paused and glasses fast-tracked, Apple’s next bets straddle hardware, on-device AI, and tight OS integration. That raises the premium on leaders who can coordinate silicon, product, and platform.
Market and policy exposure. Supply shifts across China, India, and Southeast Asia need steady hands. Experience navigating that footprint, plus EU/US regulation, will factor into any decision. (Background from Apple leadership statements and structure).
Culture and trust. Cook’s tenure prizes privacy, supplier responsibility, and measured execution. Any successor must hold investor confidence without whiplash.
What history suggests
2011 lessons. The Jobs→Cook transition favored a proven operator who could keep Apple’s cadence through multiple waves. Today’s bench is deeper and more specialized. Expect a methodical timeline, with the board telegraphing through role changes and stage time rather than sudden moves.
What’s next and when
Near-term signals (6–12 months):
- Who fronts major launches and investor-facing moments.
- Further leadership moves on AI, silicon, or services.
- Visibility for smart glasses programs vs. Vision OS updates.
- Any expanded remit for Ternus, Federighi, or Khan.
Important context: Cook is not signaling a departure. He turns 65 next month and remains central to decisions. Succession talk is prudent scenario planning, not a countdown.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who picks Apple’s next CEO?
The Apple board of directors selects the CEO. It weighs performance, succession planning, and external conditions.
Why is John Ternus in focus now?
Fresh reporting says Apple has intensified attention on Ternus. The shift toward smart glasses and continued device cadence makes hardware leadership central.
Where does Craig Federighi fit?
He leads software. If Apple prioritizes OS-level AI and developer trust as the core advantage, Federighi remains a credible pick.
How did Sabih Khan become COO?
Apple elevated Khan in July 2025 as part of a planned transition, with Jeff Williams retiring later in the year.
What is Vision Air?
A lighter, cheaper revamp of Vision Pro that Apple reportedly paused to focus on AI smart glasses.
What are Apple’s smart glasses timelines?
Bloomberg reports an iPhone-paired model targeted for 2027 and a display-equipped version planned for 2028, with acceleration efforts underway.
Is an M5 iPad Pro confirmed?
No. Leaks show hardware labeled M5 with stronger benchmarks, but Apple has not announced the product.
How old is Tim Cook?
Born Nov. 1, 1960. He turns 65 in 2025.
Featured Answer Boxes
Who is most likely to be Apple’s next CEO?
John Ternus is the leading internal candidate, per Bloomberg. Operations chief Sabih Khan and software head Craig Federighi are credible alternatives, with silicon lead Johny Srouji and retail chief Deirdre O’Brien in the mix. Timing will track product and org signals, not a set date.
Did Apple cancel Vision Air?
Apple has paused the cheaper, lighter Vision Air revamp and shifted staff to AI smart glasses, according to Bloomberg reporting echoed by Reuters. Two glasses tracks exist: an iPhone-paired model targeted around 2027 and a display-equipped version Apple aims to accelerate.
What about an M5 iPad Pro?
Two Russia-based unboxings suggest an M5 iPad Pro is close. The Verge and MacRumors cite design carry-over, missing “iPad Pro” back text, and higher benchmarks versus M4. Apple hasn’t commented.
Is Tim Cook retiring?
There is no announcement. Cook turns 65 on Nov. 1, 2025, and remains CEO. A handover, when it comes, will likely be deliberate, with months of role signaling.
What changed after Jeff Williams?
Apple named Sabih Khan COO in July as Williams transitions and retires later this year. That stabilizes operations and subtly resets succession math that once favored Williams.
