Apple has seen a leadership transition with John Ternus stepping into the Chief Executive Officer position previously held by Tim Cook. Early in his tenure Ternus introduced the company's first foldable smartphone called the iPhone Duo during the September event. In a follow-up discussion the executive covered Apple's design principles the creation of its initial foldable model and its advancing approach to artificial intelligence.

John Ternus on the iPhone Duo Apple's AI Direction and Additional Topics

During a conversation with TIME for its Best Inventions of 2026 edition Ternus noted that efforts on foldable products started well before the iPhone Duo release. Back in 2011 he and several Apple engineers submitted a patent filing that examined foldable electronics along with the necessary batteries and circuit boards. Ternus expressed confidence that flexible OLED screens would become feasible over time yet Apple still needed to resolve multiple technical hurdles to bring the idea to market.

Looking back at foldable phones from competitors in the 2010s the CEO remarked that those models seemed inexpensive and poorly made. Richard Dinh Apple's Vice President of Product Design mentioned to TIME that Ternus urged the group to pursue superior options. Dinh recalled suggesting a surface material like those used by rivals despite known limitations and Ternus advised continuing until the solution felt correct which gave the team room to test other approaches. The outcome is the iPhone Duo featuring a custom polymer layer with a nanotexture coating over a hinge built from more than 100 precision parts.

The CEO also touched on Apple's AI direction including the choice to integrate Google's Gemini into the refreshed Siri experience. Addressing the use of outside technology Ternus explained that Apple does not need to create every element internally and instead concentrates on delivering distinctive user benefits.

He highlighted that Siri AI gains an edge through its permitted access to data across a user's device. Everything in your life resides on your phone he noted adding that this context allows Siri to locate details and handle tasks in ways other assistants may not match.

Ternus further reflected on the demands of his first major iPhone introduction as CEO. During the September unveiling viewers observed his hands trembling while showing the device in a live session with creator IShowSpeed. He attributed the moment to insufficient rest and the thrill of launch day noting he was powered by adrenaline caffeine and eager anticipation.