John Ternus Leads His First Apple Earnings Call as CEO

Apple will host its Q3 2026 earnings call today—marking John Ternus’ debut as CEO. The public portion begins at 2:00 P.M. Pacific / 5:00 P.M. Eastern time, with Ternus and CFO Kevan Parekh discussing financial results from June 28 to September 26. The event is being livestreamed via Apple’s Investor Relations site, free to attend with no registration required. Analysts will pose questions after the opening remarks, and the full call is expected to last about an hour.

Apple announced these products in the quarter:

  • Mac Mini (M6 & M5 Pro chips)
  • Mac Studio (M5 Max & M5 Ultra chips)
  • New Apple Polishing Cloth
  • iPhone 18 Pro / iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • Apple Watch Series 12
  • Apple Watch Ultra 4
  • AirPods 5
  • Beats 360
  • Wrist Strap for iPhone 18 Pro & AirPods Pro 3
  • New Apple Watch Charging Puck

Also noteworthy: the iPhone Duo was unveiled during this period, but since pre-orders began only on October 16, none of its revenue is included in this earnings quarter.

Why It’s Different Under New Leadership

Ternus officially became Apple’s CEO on September 1, following a long rebuild of the leadership transition. That makes this earnings call his first opportunity to publicly outline his vision, priorities, and strategy. Investors and analysts will be paying close attention, especially to how Ternus plans to steer Apple through changes in hardware engineering, supply chain execution, and product line direction.

The product slate here reflects that mix: flagship devices were refreshed, with Pro-tier iPhones and new Watches; there was a continued expansion in Mac performance with upgraded Ultra- and Max-level studio hardware. Even accessories like the polishing cloth and a new charging puck were included—evidence that Apple’s looking for incremental revenue everywhere.

What to Watch in the Q&A

Some of the key questions likely to come up include: whether the new hardware drove higher margins; how sales matched up across regions; how Apple is planning to ramp production of the iPhone Duo now that pre-orders are live; and what challenges remain in chip supply, especially for new Macs. Also high on the list is whether any hints will emerge about future product plans, especially in areas where Apple has fresh momentum under Ternus’s watch.

Estimated timeline: live call starts at 2:00 P.M. Pacific / 5:00 P.M. Eastern, lasts about one hour. Date range for this quarter: June 28–September 26, 2026.

What this moment means: with John Ternus stepping into the CEO role, this earnings call isn’t just about how Apple did—it’s about where it’s headed. The early signs—from both the product rollouts and those in-between hardware announcements—suggest continuity with Apple’s commitment to premium design and performance, while also expanding the portfolio in less conventional ways (accessories, straps, cloths). Going forward, how Ternus handles delivery, innovation, and margin pressure will set the tone. Watch closely for his message in the Q&A; this call could be the clearest signal yet of Ternus’s direction for Apple.