While the report said that Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, it went on to explain that an announcement early in the year would allow for a smooth leadership transition, ahead of Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in June and iPhone event in September.
However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he would be "shocked" if Cook steps down between late January and June next year.
"Based on everything I've learned in recent weeks, I don't believe a departure by the middle of next year is likely," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "In fact, I would be shocked if Cook steps down in the time frame outlined by the FT."
There have been "few signs internally" that Cook is about to step down, he added.
Gurman described the Financial Times report as "premature" and "simply false."
Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, is widely viewed as Cook's most likely successor whenever the time comes.
Cook, who turned 65 this year, has been Apple's CEO since August 2011.
Sunday October 18, 2026 7:33 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Despite knowing that the iPhone Duo would face "severe supply constraints" due to manufacturing challenges, Apple chose to begin iPhone Duo pre-orders on Friday instead of waiting until it had more inventory ready, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he called this decision a "major mistake."
"Let me cut to the chase: Apple made a major mistake here," he...
Apple's long-rumored smart home hub will have an iMac G4-style design and a host of unique features, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
The smart home hub is said to feature a square 6-inch display, with variants that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall. It features a single FaceTime camera on the front, with microphones and speakers in its connected base. Gurman described the...
Apple plans to introduce a series of new smart home products on Tuesday, October 13, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple reportedly plans to debut its long-awaited smart home hub device, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV on the date. The new HomePod mini and Apple TV are set to retain their existing designs, but tout faster chips to support Siri AI. The new HomePod mini will...
Apple has thrived under Tim Cook's leadership, an incredible track record of profitability and growth, averaging 18% annual market cap growth since 2011 when he took on the role. First $1 trillion dollar market cap company, first $3 trillion market cap... I wonder how the market will react when he eventually steps down? And how Macrumors will react :D:D ??
Apple has thrived under Tim Cook's leadership, an incredible track record of profitability and growth, averaging 18% annual market cap growth since 2011 when he took on the role. First $1 trillion dollar market cap company, first $3 trillion market cap... I wonder how the market will react when he eventually steps down? And how Macrumors will react :D:D ??
Yeah, Cook’s track record is insane, 18% annual market-cap growth, first $1T company, first $3T company. No question he’s one of the best operators in business history, and when he steps down the market (and MacRumors) will absolutely lose its mind. But the real question is what has Tim Cook actually done for Apple from an innovation standpoint?
Yes, he oversaw AirPods which basically created the entire true-wireless category and became a massive cultural hit. Huge win. But beyond that, where’s the next iPhone-level product? The next paradigm shift?
Financially he’s crushed it. Operationally he’s unmatched, but in terms of meaningful, era-defining innovation, what’s the big one under Cook?
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.
![Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]](https://images.macrumors.com/t/Okb7kitB_gNr6qe5Pex9nQIysD8=/112x112/article-new/2026/01/Apple-Creator-Studio-iWork-suite.jpg)
