Inside Apple’s Future: The Four Power Players Poised to Succeed Tim Cook

As succession discussions intensify, Apple’s top leaders emerge as strong contenders to guide the tech giant into its next era of innovation.

Apple’s succession spotlight is intensifying as reports suggest that four of the company’s most influential executives are being considered as potential successors to CEO Tim Cook — though his departure timeline remains uncertain.

According to The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, John Ternus, Apple’s 50-year-old hardware chief, currently stands as the frontrunner. Ternus oversees Apple’s most critical product lines, including the iPhone, Mac, and AirPods — devices that continue to anchor the company’s massive global revenues. His engineering expertise and operational leadership have positioned him as a natural candidate.

Next in line is Craig Federighi, Apple’s charismatic Senior Vice President of Software Engineering. Known for commanding the stage at WWDC each year, the 56-year-old has recently taken a central role in strengthening Apple’s AI strategy after early missteps prompted internal restructuring.

The list also includes Eddy Cue, the 61-year-old Services Chief and one of Apple’s most seasoned executives. A longtime collaborator of both Cook and Steve Jobs, Cue manages some of Apple’s fastest-growing revenue segments, from iCloud to TV+, positioning him as a strong contender as the company leans deeper into subscription services.

Rounding out the contenders is Greg “Joz” Joswiak, Apple’s 61-year-old global marketing head. Known for spearheading iPhone campaigns and stepping in during crises — including the faltering AI rollout — Joz brings deep institutional knowledge and public-facing leadership to the table.

While Cook is now 65, Apple imposes no mandatory retirement age, and insiders, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, report few signs that he is preparing to exit soon. Still, Apple’s board is said to be “stepping up” its succession planning, with Financial Times suggesting Cook could depart as early as next year.

Cook, who has led Apple from a $350 billion company to a $4 trillion market leader since 2011, previously confirmed that “very detailed succession plans” are in place. On a 2023 podcast with Dua Lipa, he reiterated his desire for an internal successor: “I really want the person to come from within Apple.”

Whenever the transition comes, it will mark one of the most consequential leadership shifts in modern tech — and the four executives now in focus are poised to shape Apple’s next chapter.