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Two executives who shaped Apple's displays over three decades are stepping down to advisory roles. At the same time, three connectivity engineers are being promoted to vice presidents. The restructuring under John Ternus is thus continuing at a deeper level.
Apple has made personnel changes below the top management level. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his October 25 newsletter, Power On, two long-time display executives are gradually handing over their responsibilities to a successor. In addition, there have been three promotions in the connectivity division.
Apple does not list vice presidents of this level on its leadership page, so the information is based solely on Gurman's sources within the company. Bloomberg had already reported in December 2023 how the responsibilities of then-departing hardware manager Steve Hotelling were distributed, including to Wei Chen. The overview of Apple's leadership in transition shows how the leadership structure has shifted since the spring.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Wei Chen and John Zhong, both with Apple for around three decades and responsible for displays, are moving into advisory roles.
- According to the report, this is an orderly transition before retirement.
- Victor Yin, who worked under both of them for many years, takes over a large part of the display tasks.
- Rajesh Ambati, Louie Sanguinetti, and Derek Shaeffer will become vice presidents. Their area of expertise is the technology that connects Apple devices.
Two display veterans become advisors
Wei Chen led Apple's display technologies for years, and John Zhong also worked in display development. According to Gurman, both will gradually relinquish their leadership responsibilities and remain with the company as advisors. A specific retirement date has not been announced.
The transition is in preparation. Victor Yin worked for years under Chen and Zhong and was specifically groomed by both of them. He is now taking over a large part of their previous responsibilities.
The timing coincides with a period of major changes in Apple's displays. The iPhone Duo has been available with a foldable display since October 23rd, and the first MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen is expected on Wednesday.
Three new Vice Presidents for Connectivity
Independent of the display team, Apple has promoted three engineers to vice presidents: Rajesh Ambati, Louie Sanguinetti, and Derek Shaeffer. All three work on the hardware and software that enables Apple devices to connect to the internet. According to Gurman, Sanguinetti has been with Apple for decades and has primarily worked on wireless hardware.
The promotions are part of Apple's annual round of announcements in October. The fact that all three come from the same department aligns with Apple's growing reliance on its own wireless technology. This is particularly evident in Germany: both iPhone 18 Pro models use Apple's own C2 modem, while only the US version of the Pro Max uses a different modem.
Part of a larger renovation
These personnel changes are not isolated incidents. In April, Apple appointed Johny Srouji as Chief Hardware Officer, under whose leadership hardware development and technologies have since been consolidated. At the end of September, a report emerged stating that Ternus intends to make Apple faster and leaner, thereby eliminating management levels.
In early October, Apple also appointed a new head of acquisitions. These recent personnel changes continue this pattern: responsibilities are being transferred to people who have long worked in the respective area.
Orderly transition instead of a mass exodus
I find this news particularly remarkable because it's so unspectacular. At the end of 2025, departures dominated the headlines, even leading to speculation about Johny Srouji's possible exit. Now, after three decades, two managers are handing over the reins to a successor they themselves have groomed.
For buyers, nothing will change in the short term. The displays in the iPhone Duo and the new MacBook Pro have already been developed. I expect Yin's design influence to only become apparent in devices that will be released in a few years.
What's more important to you about your Apple devices: an even better display or a more stable connection? Let us know in the comments which of the two areas you think your devices need more improvement in.
