Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies Johny Srouji told CEO Tim Cook on December 6, 2025 that he is seriously considering leaving Apple, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported. The conversation, which took place in the company’s headquarters, marked a significant leadership change in the silicon division that has driven the design of the company’s A‑series and M‑series chips.
Srouji has been the architect of Apple’s custom silicon, delivering the performance and power efficiency that underpin iPhones, iPads and Macs. His potential exit would create a leadership vacuum in the silicon team, potentially delaying the rollout of next‑generation chips and slowing progress on Apple’s “Apple Intelligence” initiative, which relies on custom silicon to deliver on‑device machine‑learning capabilities.
Apple has reportedly offered Srouji a substantial compensation package and the possibility of a chief technology officer role, but the details remain undisclosed. The 60‑year‑old executive has expressed a preference to stay only if he can continue to shape the company’s hardware strategy under the current leadership structure.
Without Srouji’s expertise, Apple may face challenges accelerating the development of future M‑series chips that integrate advanced neural engines, potentially giving competitors an edge in the rapidly evolving AI chip market. The company’s roadmap includes M5, M6 and M7 chips slated for upcoming Macs and other devices, and a leadership gap could affect the timing and technical direction of these products.
No clear successor has been named. Potential deputies such as Zongjian Chen or Sribalan Santhanam are being considered, but analysts note that neither has the same blend of technical depth and strategic vision that Srouji brought. The uncertainty could affect investor confidence in Apple’s long‑term silicon roadmap and its ability to maintain a competitive advantage in AI hardware.
Srouji’s potential exit comes amid a wave of senior‑level departures, including the exit of AI chief John Giannandrea and COO Jeff Williams. The exodus raises questions about leadership stability and succession planning at Apple, a company that has historically relied on a tight‑knit executive team to drive innovation. The company’s ability to retain top talent and maintain continuity in its silicon strategy will be closely watched by investors and industry observers alike.
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