Who Is John Ternus? Meet Apple’s New CEO Before His First Major iPhone Launch

John Ternus is stepping into the biggest public role of his Apple career just days after becoming the company’s new CEO.

Apple is unveiling its latest iPhone lineup on Sept. 9, marking Ternus’ first major product launch since he took over from Tim Cook on Sept. 1. The event will include new high-end iPhone models and, potentially, Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

For Ternus, the launch comes with an unusual connection to the products on stage. He has spent almost 25 years working on Apple’s hardware, moving from its product design team to become the company’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering before taking the top job.

So, who is John Ternus, and how did he become Apple’s new CEO?

John Ternus Joined Apple In 2001

Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001. Before Apple, he worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems.

He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor’s degree in the field. His background is therefore rooted in engineering rather than finance, sales or corporate operations.

His career at Apple moved steadily upward. Ternus became vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and joined Apple’s executive team as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2021.

During those years, he became one of the key people overseeing the hardware behind Apple’s products.

His Work Has Covered Apple’s Biggest Products

Apple says Ternus has overseen hardware engineering work across several major product lines, including the iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch.

He was also instrumental in the introduction of new product lines such as the iPad and AirPods. His work has covered areas including product reliability, durability, materials and hardware design.

That experience has made him one of the company’s most senior hardware executives, even though he has remained relatively low-profile compared with Cook and Apple’s former CEO Steve Jobs.

Ternus has appeared at some Apple product presentations over the years, particularly when the company has introduced new hardware. But he has generally spent more time behind the scenes than in the spotlight.

That changes with his new position.

Why Did Apple Choose John Ternus?

Apple announced in April that Ternus would succeed Cook as CEO, with the transition taking effect Sept. 1.

The company said the decision followed a long-term succession planning process approved unanimously by Apple’s board. Cook moved into the role of executive chairman, while Ternus joined Apple’s board and became CEO.

His technical background is one of the most notable parts of the appointment.

Ternus has spent years working directly on Apple’s hardware and product development. Apple also highlighted his focus on reliability, durability and materials as part of his record at the company.

But his promotion does not necessarily mean Apple is abandoning the direction it followed under Cook.

Cook remains involved as executive chairman, while Ternus takes responsibility for running the company as CEO.

His First Big Test Is the iPhone

The timing of Ternus’ promotion puts him in front of the public almost immediately.

Apple’s Sept. 9 event features new iPhone Pro and Pro Max models. More attention, however, is focused on the possibility of a foldable iPhone.

Reuters reported that Apple is widely expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at the event. The device could cost more than $2,000, putting it at the high end of the smartphone market. Apple has not publicly confirmed the foldable iPhone ahead of the launch.

If the reports are accurate, the product would represent Apple’s entry into a category where companies including Samsung, Huawei, Motorola and Google have already released foldable phones.

Apple’s approach has been different. Rather than being one of the first major smartphone companies to enter the category, it appears to have waited while the technology developed.

The foldable iPhone would therefore give Ternus an especially notable product to introduce during his first major launch as CEO.

Ternus has spent most of his career as an engineer and hardware executive. Running Apple is a much broader job, covering its products and services as well as its business, employees and relationships around the world.

His first keynote as CEO will offer one of the clearest early looks at how comfortable he is in the public-facing role.