Tim Cook stepped down as Apple’s CEO on September 1, 2026, after 15 years, handing the role to John Ternus. Just eight days later, Apple unveiled its first foldable, the iPhone Duo. Many people wondered why Cook chose that moment to leave. Now, in a new interview, Cook has explained his reasoning.
Tim Cook Wanted John Ternus To Have Head Start
Speaking to The Independent at Apple’s UK headquarters in London’s Battersea Power Station, Tim Cook said that the timing was deliberate. He stepped down just before the iPhone Duo was announced, partly to help Ternus start strong.
“I wanted John to have some wind at his back,” Cook said.
In simple terms, Cook wanted Ternus’s first big moment as CEO to be one of Apple’s biggest launches in years. By leaving just before the iPhone Duo event, Ternus got to lead Apple into its first foldable launch, instead of starting with a quieter period.
Cook also made it clear that the handover wasn’t sudden. According to him, the transition “started years ago”. He described it as “an interesting transition.”
That matches earlier reports that Apple had been preparing Ternus for the top job for some time. Before becoming CEO, Ternus led Apple’s hardware engineering team and spent over 25 years at the company, working on products like the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Cook also shared the advice he gave Ternus. He told him to “make it your own job” and not to try to copy the way Cook ran Apple. It looks like Ternus is already doing that.
According to a recent Bloomberg report, Ternus is much more hands-on with Apple’s design teams than Cook was. He reportedly visits the design studio several times a week, while Cook used to visit about once a month.
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Cook Says the iPhone Duo Is "Amazing"
Even though Tim Cook is no longer CEO, he is clearly excited about Apple’s latest products. “This product cycle feels unbelievably great,” he said. Tim Cook was the leading force behind iPhone Duo, marking Apple's first step into the foldable space.
Speaking about the iPhone Duo, Cook added that it “is coming in a few weeks and it’s amazing.” The iPhone Duo goes on sale on October 23, and it costs Rs 2,99,900 in India.
Aside from Ternus and the iPhone Duo, Cook also spoke about Apple’s work with The King’s Trust on a creative education programme for young people. He said that companies can give back by sharing “part of yourself”, not just money and resources.
He also talked about the new Apple Music Hall at Battersea, which he called “uniquely Apple”. It has spatial audio and is built for live performances.
Meanwhile, Ternus will face his next big test soon, as he is set to host his first earnings call as CEO on November 2, 2026, where Apple will share its results for the September 2026 quarter. So, stay tuned for that.
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