Apple CEO Ternus: iPhone is the best AI device
Original: Apple CEO John Ternus says the best AI device is still the iPhone
Why This Matters
Apple's iPhone-as-AI-hub strategy signals a major competitive stance against AI-native hardware rivals and cloud-first AI platforms.
Apple's new CEO John Ternus opened the 'Surprise and Shine' event on September 9, 2026, declaring the iPhone already the best AI device available, framing it as an 'intelligent personal hub' that prioritizes on-device processing and user data privacy over competitors.
Apple CEO John Ternus, who recently succeeded Tim Cook (now executive chairman), used the opening of Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' event in Cupertino on September 9, 2026, to lay out the company's AI strategy. Rather than building dedicated AI hardware, Apple intends to position the iPhone as the primary interface for consumers engaging with AI technology. Ternus described the ideal AI device — which he called an 'intelligent personal hub' — as requiring broad personal context awareness, constant availability, on-device AI processing capability, cloud connectivity, a large display, high-quality cameras and microphones, long battery life, and seamless integration with other devices and services. He then argued that the iPhone already meets all these criteria. Ternus also drew a sharp distinction on privacy, stating that 'others see [users' personal] data as something to collect and store,' while Apple prioritizes on-device processing. 'Trust only goes so far when your data is no longer yours to control; that's why Apple Intelligence runs on device whenever it can,' he said. The remarks signal Apple's intent to compete in the AI era through the existing iPhone ecosystem rather than new hardware categories.