Reports diverge on when Tim Cook might step down as Apple CEO. The *Financial Times* suggested an early 2026 transition, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman called that timeline "unlikely," predicting Cook will remain in charge at least through June's WWDC. This discussion has intensified as Cook, who became CEO in 2011, reached the typical retirement age of 65 last year.

Gurman's reporting indicates a successor is already being groomed. John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is widely viewed as the leading candidate. Cook recently gave Ternus oversight of Apple's design teams, a move Gurman says makes it "crystal clear" he is the preferred choice for the top job.

Any transition to a chairman role for Cook appears delayed. The current chairman, Arthur D. Levinson, is up for re-election at the February shareholders meeting. Apple is asking for an exception to its age-75 retirement rule for Levinson, suggesting a smooth board succession isn't imminent. All signs point to a measured, multi-month handover rather than a sudden change.