The John Ternus era: How Apple is redefining design beyond the Jony Ive years

John Ternus has evolved the approach from the Jony Ive era on three key characteristics.

Before John Ternus, there was a famous Jony Ive era that built with aesthetic obsession. The very first MacBook Pro with Retina Display in the early 2010s is an example. John Ternus has evolved that approach, on three key characteristics.

Engineering syncs with form

For years, Apple’s famed sync between hardware and software, was a known thing. Ternus amplified that in ways previously not done. (AP Photo)

For years, it was accepted that laptops would start heating up and performance throttling was an inevitability. That changed with a greater focus on thermals and materials to accompany Apple’s Silicon performance pursuits. That’s paid dividends, across iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Silicon and software, work together

For years, Apple’s famed sync between hardware and software, was a known thing. Ternus amplified that in ways previously not done, working closely with chip architect and senior vice president of hardware technology, Johnny Srouji. Ternus’ approach treats a machine as singular, around Apple Silicon. That also led to the in-house 5G modems, called C1 and C1X.

Never before has Apple’s product portfolio included so many colours. Of course the iPhone 5c from 2013 being a rarity. The MacBook Neo’s colours, Cosmic Orange in the iPhone 17 Pro, and a colourful iPhone 17 as well as iPad line-ups are a definitive attempt at underlining performance and aspiration with a cooler aesthetic.