Tim Cook's legacy: Services, chips and wearables that reshaped Apple

As Tim Cook prepares to step down as CEO of Apple at the age of 65, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy that has reshaped the company over his more than a decade-long tenure. His leadership, which officially concludes on September 1, has seen Apple evolve into a titan of services and custom silicon, solidifying its status as one of the world's most valuable corporations. Under Cook's guidance, Apple expanded its services portfolio significantly, introducing platforms such as Apple Music and iCloud. The App Store, which flourished during his time, now processes transactions exceeding $1.3 trillion, marking a significant growth in the digital services sector. In 2025, the company reported approximately $106 billion in revenue from its high-margin ecosystem of apps, payments, and subscriptions, which now serve as a cornerstone of its financial performance. A pivotal change during Cook's tenure was Apple's transition to its custom silicon, beginning with the M1 chip in 2020 for devices like the MacBook Air and Mac Mini. This strategic move away from Intel processors has resulted in faster, more energy-efficient Macs, further enhancing Apple's competitive edge. In 2015, Apple ventured into the wearable technology market with the Apple Watch. Initially met with mixed reviews, the device evolved into a vital health and fitness tool, incorporating features such as ECG monitoring and blood oxygen tracking. The success of AirPods, launched in 2016, further solidified Apple's dominance in the audio and wearable space. At the WWDC 2023, Cook introduced the Apple Vision Pro, a significant step into the realm of spatial computing. Although its high price point of $3,499 limited its mass appeal, the device represents Apple’s commitment to pioneering next-generation interfaces. Apple's foray into artificial intelligence began in 2024 with the unveiling of Apple Intelligence, described as a personal intelligence system that combines generative AI with user context. While the journey has not unfolded as rapidly as anticipated, expectations are high for 2026, when further advancements are anticipated. Under Cook's leadership, Apple achieved unprecedented milestones, becoming the first company to reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion in 2018 and later surpassing $3 trillion in 2022. By 2025, Apple became the third company to exceed a valuation of $4 trillion. As Cook passes the reins to John Ternus, the company’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, the future of Apple is poised for continued innovation and growth.