If Apple CEO Tim Cook Steps Down In 2026, Here's Who Could Take Over - Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Core Viewpoint - Speculation is rising regarding a potential leadership change at Apple Inc., with a notable probability that CEO Tim Cook may step down before 2027, as indicated by prediction markets [1]. Group 1: Leadership Speculation - Current betting data shows a 33% chance that Tim Cook will leave his position before 2027, which is higher than other tech leaders like Sam Altman (18%) and Sundar Pichai (16%) [1]. - A separate contract indicates that the market sees only a 10% chance of Cook exiting by March 31, suggesting no immediate departure is expected [2]. Group 2: Reasons Behind Speculation - The speculation has intensified following reports in January 2026 about Apple's succession planning, with some critics arguing that Cook has not made significant contributions recently and that Apple has fallen behind in AI technology [3]. - The promotion of John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, to oversee the Design Team has fueled speculation about a potential leadership transition, with Ternus being viewed as a steady but conventional choice [4]. Group 3: Implications of Leadership Change - Tim Cook has led Apple through a period of remarkable profitability, increasing the company's market cap from under $400 billion to over $3 trillion [5]. - Investors are keen to see if a transition to Ternus will indicate a focus on physical products or if Apple will maintain its shift towards services [5].