India, Nov. 11 -- Tim Cook turned 65 on November 1, which immediately brought questions about his retirement and the future leadership of the technology corporation into sharp focus.

Cook, who took over as Chief Executive Officer from Steve Jobs in 2011, stated in 2021 he does not expect to hold his position until 2031. He has set no firm departure date, but multiple news reports suggest Apple is quietly working on a smooth leadership transition. The board seeks an internal executive to maintain the company's direction.

The focus of the succession race centers on John Ternus. As the Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Ternus has spent over two decades shaping Apple's product line. He is now the leading candidate to become the...