Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: Apple’s leadership era is turning a page. Tim Cook, who has led the company for over 15 years since succeeding Steve Jobs in 2011, officially steps down as CEO and becomes executive chairman starting September 1, 2026. Taking his place is John Ternus, the company’s longtime senior vice president of hardware engineering, who becomes Apple’s eighth CEO.
DON'T MISS
A Farewell Before The Torch Is Passed
Just days before the transition, Apple hosted a farewell gathering for Cook on August 23, 2026, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of his appointment as CEO. Around 200 employees and guests gathered at the company’s Caffè Macs cafeteria to mark the occasion.
Ternus’s Rise Through The Ranks
Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001, becoming vice president of hardware engineering in 2013 and senior vice president in 2021. Over 25 years at the company, he has overseen development across iPad, Mac, AirPods, and iPhone.
The Stage Is Set For September 9
Ternus’s first major public appearance as CEO is expected to come at Apple’s September event, widely anticipated for September 9, 2026. Unlike previous years, the standard iPhone 18 will not be part of the fall lineup, with Apple instead concentrating its showcase on premium devices.
What The iPhone 18 Pro Max Is Expected To Bring
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: Leaks point to the iPhone 18 Pro Max featuring a 6.9-inch display, Apple‘s new A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometer process, a smaller Dynamic Island, and a noticeably larger battery, potentially around 10 percent bigger than its predecessor.
For Ternus, the significance of the event extends well beyond specs and colours. Taking the stage for the first time as CEO, just over a week after officially assuming the role, places him directly in the spotlight at one of Apple’s most closely watched events of the year.
