Apple under Ternus: what comes next for the tech giant’s hardware strategy

Apple's transition to hardware-focused CEO John Ternus signals a strategic pivot toward AI-integrated devices and wearables rather than competing on large language models, positioning the company to launch foldable iPhones, smart glasses, robotic assistants, and interconnected AI products centered on the iPhone ecosystem. This leadership change carries significant supply chain and operational risks, as Apple faces memory chip shortages, tariff uncertainty under the Trump administration, and manufacturing dependencies in China and India that could impact product timelines and margins. IT leaders should anticipate Apple's ecosystem playing a more central role in enterprise and consumer device strategies, while monitoring supply chain vulnerabilities that could affect technology procurement and vendor partnerships.