The timeline for Tim Cook’s tenure as Apple’s CEO may end in 2026. A report from the Financial Times suggests that Apple is preparing for Cook’s exit, possibly as soon as next year. Insiders indicate that this is not related to performance concerns, as Apple expects to achieve record-setting sales during the holiday season.

Tim Cook has been at the helm of Apple for almost 15 years, having succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011. John Ternus, Apple’s Senior VP of Hardware Engineers, is a strong contender to follow Cook, although a final decision has yet to be reached. Ternus, who started his career at Apple in 2001, would be the same age as Cook was upon assuming the CEO role.

Ternus has increasingly taken the spotlight at Apple events, likely gearing up for a future leadership position. He unveiled the new iPhone Air at the event in September. Cook has referred to Apple’s comprehensive succession strategies, and the company has experienced departures of significant executives such as CFO Luca Maestri and COO Jeff Williams this year.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had previously identified Ternus as a possible successor, yet he remarked that there were no imminent indications of Cook’s resignation. Should Cook resign, it most likely won’t happen before the January 2026 earnings report, which includes the holiday sales data. An early leadership change could facilitate a smoother transition for the new CEO ahead of major events like the WWDC in June.