Big changes are coming to how Apple creates products, organizes teams, and manages its money. According to a new report from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the chief executive is pushing for a leaner operation. The goal is to speed up release timelines and push out new devices without growing the workforce at the same rate. This means some layoffs and internal restructuring are already taking place.
The company shifts release schedules to drop new hardware faster
The standard habit of releasing new gadgets only in the spring and fall might be ending soon. CEO John Ternus wants to move away from these strict timelines so its teams can launch hardware at different times throughout the year. This flexible setup allows engineering groups to take a much more experimental approach with future devices.
Product development teams are already feeling the heat to work quicker. Managers are asking engineers to take on more direct responsibilities and build hardware on shorter timelines. The ultimate plan is to widen the device lineup and get things out the door much quicker than in past years.
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Management layers shrink as the business cuts back on spending
To make these rapid releases happen, the leadership wants fewer managers standing between senior executives and the people actually building things. Things are already moving on this front. Over the past couple of weeks, half a dozen directors and several engineering program managers were removed. If those workers fail to secure a different role inside the company, it will lead to permanent layoffs.
Additional cuts have impacted groups working on Siri, Vision Pro, artificial intelligence software, and Fitness+. Early budget drafts for 2027 point to flat staffing numbers, very small budget bumps, and reduced marketing cash. While it originally thought about replacing roughly 5,000 AppleCare jobs with artificial intelligence bots, that specific idea is currently on pause.
It looks like the old playbook for running the business is being thrown out. By trimming middle management and spreading out product announcements, the leadership hopes to squeeze more revenue out of existing items. These internal shakeups are massive, and it will probably take a few years for its entire structure to settle into this new rhythm.
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