Ternus' biggest challenge as Apple CEO will be selling iPhones: Big Technology's Alex Kantrowitz
Speakers
Alex Kantrowitz
— Founder of Big Technology
Summary
Alex Kantrowitz discusses Apple's leadership transition to John Ternus and the challenges ahead. He says Apple's stock remains tied to iPhone sales, with memory costs and AI disruption as key risks. He also expects a forthcoming foldable iPhone to be a product catalyst and hit.
- Apple is undergoing leadership changes as John Ternus prepares to succeed Tim Cook.
- The top challenge for Ternus is sustaining iPhone sales growth.
- iPhone growth has been the main driver of Apple's recent stock surge.
- Rising memory prices and limited iPhone pricing power are margin risks.
- Apple must build an AI strategy as AI interfaces could reduce device importance.
- Kantrowitz expects an upcoming foldable iPhone to be a hit.
- Apple's culture is described as top-down and focused on refinement rather than invention.
Ideas
Apple stock hinges on iPhone sales.
Apple's stock is directly tied to iPhone sales. When iPhone growth was stagnant, Apple's stock stagnated; once iPhone growth hit 21% in the latest quarter, Apple surged 37% over the past year. The new CEO's top challenge is to keep selling iPhones while managing rising memory costs and limited room to raise iPhone prices without hurting Apple's services business.
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This CNBC video, published September 01, 2026, features Alex Kantrowitz discussing AAPL. 1 trade idea extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.
Speakers: Alex Kantrowitz · Tickers: AAPL