Report: Tim Cook Could Step Down as Apple CEO as Soon as Next Year

# Apple Intensifies Tim Cook’s Succession Planning

The Financial Times has highlighted that Apple is ramping up its efforts for the upcoming transition of the CEO role from Tim Cook. This move comes as the company’s board and top executives concentrate on planning for the future leadership of the organization.

## Possible Successor

As per sources referenced by the Financial Times, John Ternus, Apple’s Senior VP of Hardware Engineering, is deemed the frontrunner to take over from Cook. Nonetheless, it should be noted that no conclusive decisions have been finalized concerning the succession.

## Background of Succession Strategy

Although the report does not elaborate on the motivations for the hastening of these succession initiatives, it underscores that this transition is not associated with the company’s present performance. Insiders at Apple suggest that the long-scheduled transition is separate from the company’s expected robust sales period for the iPhone during the forthcoming holiday season. It is anticipated that Apple will refrain from announcing a new CEO until its next earnings report in late January, which will encompass crucial holiday sales figures.

## Recent Executive Transitions

This report comes on the heels of the recent retirement of former Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, who officially wrapped up his time at Apple after disclosing his retirement in July. Williams had earlier passed on operational leadership to Sabih Khan earlier this year, and his remaining duties were reassigned to other senior executives, including Ternus.

In addition, Apple has recently experienced a shift in its financial leadership, with long-serving CFO Luca Maestri stepping down and passing the reins to Kevan Parekh, who previously held the position of the company’s vice president of Financial Planning and Analysis.

In essence, as Apple gears up for a notable leadership change, the emphasis remains on facilitating a seamless succession process while upholding the company’s strong performance in the market.

How to Watch ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ for Free on Apple TV This Weekend

### Apple TV’s Holiday Streaming Event: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Apple has unveiled its holiday streaming agenda for Apple TV, commencing with a complimentary weekend event showcasing the cherished classic, **A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving**. This event enables viewers, including those without a subscription, to relish the animated special that has been a cornerstone of holiday watching since its release in 1973.

#### ‘Think of it as Friendsgiving’

This weekend, Apple is offering **A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving** for free to all users. To view the film, audiences only need an Apple Account to log into the Apple TV app. This move is part of Apple’s approach to deliver seasonal content that strikes a chord with viewers, particularly during the holiday period.

The 25-minute animation depicts Peppermint Patty inviting her friends to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving, despite Charlie’s intention to visit his grandmother. In an unexpected turn, Snoopy takes charge of preparing a Thanksgiving feast, emphasizing the themes of friendship and unity that are fundamental to the Peanuts universe.

#### Exclusive Collaboration with Peanuts Worldwide

In 2020, Apple formed an exclusive collaboration with Peanuts Worldwide, establishing Apple TV as the primary platform for all Peanuts-related content until at least 2030. This partnership has enabled Apple to merge classic Peanuts specials with innovative original programming, enhancing the viewing experience for fans of any age.

#### Upcoming Holiday Content

Besides **A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving**, Apple TV will also broadcast **A Charlie Brown Christmas** for free on December 13 and 14. This is a component of an extensive holiday programming slate that Apple has curated, which can be further explored on their official website.

#### How to View

To watch **A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving** for free, users can follow this

iPhone 17 Fuels 22% Surge in iPhone Sales in China During First Month, Based on Report

**Apple’s iPhone 17 Triumph in China: An In-Depth Analysis**

In the recent Q4 2025 earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook conveyed strong enthusiasm regarding the reception of the iPhone 17 series in China, stating that the company “couldn’t be more satisfied.” This perspective follows a difficult stretch of dwindling sales in the area, rendering the favorable feedback on the iPhone 17 especially important.

**Sales Metrics and Market Reaction**

Counterpoint Research has delivered insights that underscore the effect of the iPhone 17 launch. As per their analysis, nearly 80% of the devices sold to Chinese customers following the September 19 launch were from the iPhone 17 lineup. This increase in sales is remarkable, particularly in light of the fact that the overall smartphone market in China saw a 2.7% downturn year-over-year during the same period.

In the first month subsequent to the launch, iPhone sales in China grew by 22% compared to the previous year. This is a sharp contrast to the 5% drop in sales recorded after the debut of the iPhone 16 last year. Such a rebound signifies not only a revival for Apple but also an escalating consumer interest in the latest iPhone models.

**Tim Cook’s Perspectives**

During the earnings call, Cook responded to inquiries about the iPhone’s performance in China. He recognized that although there had been a subdued performance in the past quarter, it was not because of a lack of interest but rather due to supply limitations. He voiced confidence that the iPhone 17 range would assist Apple in regaining growth in the next quarter, highlighting the positive reception and heightened foot traffic in Apple stores.

Cook also mentioned that recent government incentives had played a role in the sales increase, although he clarified that many of Apple’s items were not eligible for these incentives, indicating that the demand for the new iPhones was strong on its own.

**Conclusion**

The early success of the iPhone 17 in China signifies a notable recovery for Apple in a crucial market. With solid sales figures and favorable consumer responses, the company seems prepared for growth as it transitions into the next quarter. The data from Counterpoint Research not only bolsters Cook’s positive outlook but also emphasizes the strength of Apple’s brand in a tough economic environment. As Apple continues to navigate the intricacies of the Chinese market, the iPhone 17’s performance may forecast a bright future for the tech giant in the region.

Former Apple COO Jeff Williams Has Officially Retired

**Jeff Williams Retires: Reflecting on His Influence at Apple**

In July of last year, Apple revealed that its longtime Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, would retire “late in the year.” It has recently been confirmed that Williams has clocked out for the final time, signaling the conclusion of an era for the tech powerhouse.

### Williams’ Final Day at Apple

Having overseen Apple’s operations for ten years, Williams had already stepped down as de facto COO earlier this year, transferring the duties to Sabih Khan, who now serves as Apple’s Senior Vice President of Operations. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, conveyed immense appreciation for Williams’ efforts, stating, “Apple wouldn’t be what it is without him.” He emphasized Williams’ involvement in crafting a reputable global supply chain, introducing the Apple Watch, and formulating the company’s health strategy.

### Contributions and Duties

Beyond his role as COO, Williams directed customer service and support, the design team, and the engineering for both software and hardware related to the Apple Watch. He played a key role in establishing Apple’s overall health initiatives, which have become a crucial aspect of the company’s ecosystem.

As Williams made his exit, reports indicated that various aspects of his responsibilities would be reallocated. The health and fitness teams will now come under Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Services, while Craig Federighi will manage watchOS, and John Ternus will oversee the engineering of Apple Watch hardware.

### Leadership Shifts on the Horizon

Williams’ retirement heralds a broader shift in leadership at Apple, with several executives expected to step down in the near future, including Tim Cook. Presently, Ternus is regarded as a leading candidate for the CEO role, though a timeline for this transition remains uncertain.

### Conclusion

Jeff Williams departs leaving a legacy of innovation and excellence at Apple. His contributions have forged the company into a leader in technology and design, and his exit signifies a pivotal moment in Apple’s history as it gears up for new leadership and forthcoming challenges.