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Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO of Apple: Here’s a look at his 15-year legacy,from new products and services to China expansion
Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO of Apple after 15 years, handing the role to John Ternus. Under Cook, Apple’s market cap grew from under $350 billion to $4 trillion, with significant expansions in product lines including wearables and services. He emphasized in-house processing and U.S. investments, leaving a transformative legacy for one of the world's most valuable companies.
Key points
- Cook took over as CEO in 2011, succeeding Steve Jobs. Apple’s market cap grew from under $350 billion to $4 trillion.
- The company reported $112 billion in net income for the fiscal year ending September 2025.
- Apple expanded its product line with the launch of the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro.
- Services segment generated $109.16 billion in revenue, including Apple Pay and Apple Music.
- Transitioned to Apple Silicon processors for Macs, improving performance and battery life.
- Cook announced a $600 billion U.S. spending commitment to focus on domestic manufacturing.
- Apple Park, the company’s headquarters, was completed in 2017 under Cook's leadership.
Why it matters
- Cook's tenure aligns with the growing importance of technology in daily life and the increase in global tech market capitalizations.
- Apple's focus on services reflects a broader industry trend towards subscription and services-based revenue models.
- The shift to Apple Silicon mirrors industry trends of tech companies moving towards in-house hardware for better efficiency.
- The investment commitment in the U.S. connects with the current focus on domestic manufacturing in response to global supply chain vulnerabilities.
Tim Cook's departure signifies a pivotal shift for Apple, closing a transformative chapter that saw immense growth and innovation, while setting the stage for John Ternus to redefine the company's future direction in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.