Apple’s incoming CEO John Ternus has made his first public remarks since being named as Tim Cook’s successor, speaking during the company’s Q2 2026 earnings call.
Ternus, who will take over as CEO in September, used the call to thank Cook and express his appreciation for the opportunity to lead the company.
“Stepping into the role of CEO is an incredible honor, and it means a great deal to me to have Tim’s trust and confidence,” Ternus said.
He praised Cook’s leadership, calling him “one of the greatest business leaders of all time,” and thanked Apple’s long-term shareholders for their continued support.
Ternus also emphasized that Apple’s approach to financial discipline will remain unchanged under his leadership.
“One of the hallmarks of Tim’s tenure has been a deep thoughtfulness, deliberateness, and discipline when it comes to the financial decision-making of the company,” he said. “That is something Kevin and I intend to continue.”
Looking ahead, Ternus struck an optimistic tone about Apple’s future, hinting at a strong pipeline of upcoming products and services.
“This is the most exciting time in my 25-year career at Apple to be building products and services,” he said, while declining to share specific details about the company’s roadmap.
“There are so many opportunities before us, and I couldn’t be more optimistic about what’s to come.”
Ternus ended by thanking Apple’s leadership team and employees, saying he looks forward to the work ahead as he prepares to take on the CEO role later this year.