According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is currently working on the Magic Mouse 3. We can expect a “full overhaul” of the Magic Mouse with a new design ready for the age of AI computing.
The unsung hero of Apple’s lineup is over 15 years old and has been largely neglected. Upgrades to the Apple Magic Mouse 2 have consisted of nothing more than new colors and a switch from Lightning to USB-C connection, but it’s beginning to show its age.
Early reports suggest the Magic Mouse 3 will be more ergonomic and comfortable to use and will finally fix the upside-down charging problem. But what else should we expect from Apple’s redesigned Magic Mouse?
In this article, we share the features we would like to see, what we will likely get, and when we can expect to get our hands on the Magic Mouse 3.
Key Takeaways
- The Magic Mouse is over 15 years old, and the design has failed to evolve.
- The Magic Mouse 3 promised a complete design overhaul.
- Online rumors suggest an ergonomic design similar to the Logitech’s MX Master 3 mouse.
- Apple Magic Mouse 3 design could include news sensors capable of detecting when a user tilts the mouse.
- The new model will finally lay to rest the current Apple Magic Mouse design flaw by removing the charging point from underneath the mouse.
- Show Full Guide
What Is the Apple Magic Mouse?
The Magic Mouse is Apple’s wireless and rechargeable mouse that automatically pairs with a Mac and typically holds around a month’s charge.
Users particularly love the ability to scroll left and right or quickly delete emails from the mail app with a simple flick of a finger. However, Magic Mouse was first released over 15 years ago when life was very different from the AI era in which we now find ourselves.
One of the biggest frustrations with the current design is a charging port on the mouse’s belly, which prevents users from using it while it charges. Although Apple updated its Magic Mouse 2 design with a USB-C connection, it was widely mocked online for ignoring their biggest frustration.
Although the Magic Mouse charges quickly enough to prevent this from being a problem, it remains one of the biggest complaints from Apple users.
Many also complain that the current Magic Mouse design can be uncomfortable to use, with some Apple users turning to alternative ergonomically-designed mice from Logitech.
Favourite purchase of 2024 has to go the the Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac. Bit of getting use to but so far love the ergonomics of it. pic.twitter.com/FdyU5CZAiz
— Milos Dakic (@duckitch) December 23, 2024
Will There Be a New Apple Magic Mouse in 2025?
Although our newsfeeds are filling with stories about a new M4 MacBook Air and low-cost iPad in 2025, Apple fans’ bigger question is when they can expect an update to their 15-year-old Magic Mouse.
In his PowerOn newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman confirmed that work on the Magic Mouse 3 is already underway. But early indicators suggest it’s still 12-18 months away, meaning a spring 2026 release is more realistic.
As for when the mouse will arrive, don’t expect it in the next 12-18 months. But the current Magic Mouse is nearing its end, and Apple is working on an overhaul. Once the design group settles on a final form, it will still take months of hardware/software development and ops work…
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 15, 2024
Gurman shared that Apple is currently prototyping the Magic Mouse 3 versions to devise something that better fits the modern era. He also stated that the mouse is still the go-to input device for making precise moves in a world of touch screens, voice commands, and hand gestures.
New Apple Magic Mouse Features We’d Like to See
A patent filed by Apple sparked rumors online that the Magic Mouse 3 could include new tilt features for users to get a range of new controls. Reading between the lines, the patent suggests that you could tilt the mouse to zoom in or out of anything or adjust the volume on the Mac.
Many would welcome adding extra functionality to the Magic Mouse. However, the most appealing thing about a completely redesigned Magic Mouse 3 is whether Apple can create a more ergonomically designed pro model aimed at creatives.
Here are some of the most desired upgrades and enhancements that users would like to see in a new Apple Magic Mouse model:
- Virtual 3D object manipulation
- Customizable buttons
- Improved integration
- Ergonomic design
- Charging port placement
- Improved battery
Virtual 3D Object Manipulation
Apple patents hint at new capabilities, such as virtual 3D object manipulation, which could indicate a shift toward making the Magic Mouse more versatile for professionals, including designers and engineers.
We would love to see how these new patents manifest into a vastly new and improved Magic Mouse 3 with innovative features to make it a worthy upgrade.
Customizable Buttons
It would be nice to see more practical features such as adjustable DPI, additional buttons, or features found in competitors like the Logitech MX series.
There is pressure on Apple to not only replicate features available on other devices but take it to a whole new level.
Improved Integration
One of the best things about Apple’s ecosystem is the ability to switch between different devices.
We would love to see further integration improvements to the Magic Magic 3, allowing users to seamlessly drift from a traditional Mac or MacBook to an iPad and even the Apple Vision Pro.
Ergonomic Design
Apple’s commitment to aesthetics and simplicity has meant prioritizing a sleek, low-profile design, even at the expense of ergonomics. Many believe the Magic Mouse is more about fitting Apple’s design ecosystem than competing with high-performance or other ergonomic mice on the market.
Creative editing involves a lot of repetition, which can quickly take its toll on the hand, wrist, and arm. The current Magic Mouse design is arguably a classic case of style over substance. Sure, it looks great, but it can be uncomfortable during lengthy editing sessions.
New mouse designs put comfort first by supporting the palm and fingers and positioning the hand in a more natural, relaxed posture.
By tilting the user’s arm in a more natural posture, new designs reduce strain and improve overall comfort when clicking, scrolling, zooming, and swiping when working on creative projects.
We would love for Apple to improve on this trend by introducing a Magic Mouse 3 that reduces strains and looks stylish.
Charging Port Placement
The Apple Magic Mouse charging system has seen users increasingly criticize the impractical location of the charging port on the bottom, which renders the mouse unusable while plugged in.
The hope for an updated Apple mouse charger with a front-facing or side port remains a key demand from users anticipating a redesign.
Apple released a new Magic Mouse with USB-C pic.twitter.com/zSCLSXMrB3
— Basic Apple Guy (@BasicAppleGuy) October 28, 2024
Improved Battery
Shiny new features are great, but Apple must address the concerns around battery degradation users have encountered in older models.
Considering Apple’s claims of being serious about sustainability, swappable or longer-lasting batteries would be a big step towards proving they are serious about solving the e-waste problem.
Why Do People Still Choose Magic Mouse Over Competitors With More Innovative Design?
Apple All-Around
The primary reason is the whole Apple ecosystem. If you have Apple products around you, you probably want your mouse to match all other devices so as not to break the aesthetics.
However, it’s definitely more than that.
How Is a Magic Mouse Different From a Regular Mouse?
The Magic Mouse features a multi-touch surface, enabling users to perform gestures such as swiping, scrolling, and zooming. This makes it easier to navigate web pages and switch between applications without the need for physical buttons or scroll wheels.
A regular Mouse relies on a physical scroll wheel and buttons for navigation, offering a more limited interaction method.
What Gestures Can a Magic Mouse Do?
Apple’s Magic Mouse is hugely popular with users because it allows them to seamlessly click, tap, and pinch to zoom in on documents and web pages. Other gestures enable users to easily rotate photos and return them to their desktops with minimal fuss.
Users are also encouraged to personalize their experience with the Magic Mouse with a range of customized gestures that can be activated through the Mouse or Trackpad settings.
Should You Wait for a New Magic Mouse?
Mark Gurman wrote in his PowerOn newsletter that the design group has not yet settled on a final form for the Magic Mouse 3. He also warned that the hardware engineering, software development, and operations work could take months to years.
Realistically, we do not expect to see the Magic Mouse 3 until at least Spring 2026. So, it’s not worth waiting if you need a new mouse now.
But if you are in the market for an upgrade, the time to start saving is now.
The Bottom Line
The Apple Magic Mouse has remained unchanged since its initial release in 2009. Although Apple prides itself on innovation, users rightly question the lack of evolution and failure to correct the biggest Apple Magic Mouse design flaw.
After 15 years, Apple users have demanded more than Bluetooth and battery improvements. A design overhaul is long overdue, and what happens next will go a long way to ensuring Apple’s next mouse doesn’t lose its magic label.
FAQs
Is there a new Magic Mouse coming out?
What is the difference between Magic Mouse 2 and 3?
Does Apple Magic Mouse work with Windows?
References
- Apple Introduces Magic Mouse—The World’s First Multi-Touch Mouse – Apple (Apple)
- Milos Dakic on X (X)
- Bloomberg – Are you a robot? (Bloomberg)
- Mark Gurman on X (X)
- Future Magic Mouse may add tilt controls (Appleinsider)
- Basic Apple Guy on X (X)