Apple CEO Tim Cook has officially stepped down from his role today after a phenomenal journey of 15 years, handing the leadership role to John Ternus, the company’s senior vice president of hardware engineering.
Cook will remain with the company as executive chairman and will continue to help with areas including engagement with policymakers all across the globe.
A glimpse into Tim Cook’s 15-year journey in Apple
Tim Cook assumed the role of the Cupertino-based tech giant’s CEO in 2011, succeeding co-founder Steve Jobs.
During his entire tenure, Apple continued to dominate the headlines, with the launch of major products, integrated with cutting-edge technology such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, and MacBook Neo.
Under Cook, Apple’s annual revenue also saw an exponential rise from around $108 billion in 2011 to $416 billion in 2025. iPhone revenue also increased dramatically, rising from $47.1 billion to $209.6 billion.
Additionally, Cook also helped Apple strengthen its Services business, which has grown into the company’s second-largest segment behind the iPhone, generating over $100 billion in annual revenue.
Apple’s custom silicon transition
One of Cook’s significant decisions for the revolution of the technological realm was moving Apple’s Mac lineup away from Intel processors toward its own custom silicon.
This major shift has assisted enhance performance and battery life across Max computers, solidifying the company’s position in the PC market.
Moreover, Apple’s market value spiked during Cook’s leadership, growing from roughly $350 billion to more than $4 trillion. Apple shares have gained more than 2,000% since August 2011.
John Ternus faces a new era
A recent report suggested Apple is gearing up to release the latest foldable iPhone, rumored smart glasses, and future AI-focused products.
Ternus officially begins his tenure as Apple CEO on September 1, marking the start of a new chapter for the technology giant, with the highly-anticipated event likely to launch an updated Siri powered by Google’s Gemini models.
