Mike Wuerthele
Apple may be working on a replacement to its venerable Magic Mouse for 2026, and the new design is said to finally kill off a major sticking point for some users.
For most of 2023 and 2024, it was rumored that Apple would roll out a new Magic Mouse with USB-C. It finally came to fruition in October 2024, with it and the Magic Keyboard both getting the newer wired connection.
However, there haven't been any notable changes to the device other than a shift away from removable batteries to an internal battery. Reportedly, Apple is working on a new model of the device, rethinking the peripheral for the modern computing environment.
In a report on Sunday morning by Bloomberg, Apple is said to be prototyping new versions of the Magic Mouse internally. On the top of the list of changes, is a relocation of the charging port, and perhaps new ergonomics, but that point isn't clear.
It's not clear when a new design will arrive. The report says to not expect anything for at least a year, and maybe not for 18 months.
The Magic Mouse debuted 15 years ago, and wasn't widely appreciated over the lack of ergonomics. And since then, in 2015, Apple removed the ability for the mouse to take rechargeable batteries, and instead the device charged from underneath with a Lightning cable.
And at the time, Apple's design and attention to detail led to design changes in how the mouse sounded, and would glide across a surface. Apple had to completely redesign the internal components to give the Bluetooth accessory a rechargeable battery. That process, though, drastically changed the sound the mouse makes when a user moves it.
By changing the foot architecture and mass of the Magic Mouse 2, the "friction characteristics of the sound were modified," according to Kate Bergeron, Apple vice president for Ecosystem Products and Technologies at the time. Apple's designers just weren't happy with the new sound, and spent months working to fix it.
Magic Mouse 2 is lighter than its predecessor, and features fewer moving parts thanks to its built-in battery and continuous bottom shell. Like the previous model, it features a Multi-Touch surface, but it does not offer Force Touch input like the Magic Trackpad or MacBooks.
Opinions vary about if flipping the mouse over for a five-minute charge is a big deal or not.
Malcolm Owen
Charles Martin
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
8 Comments
I haven’t used a mouse since magic trackpad came out. i cannot stand a mouse.
The reason the charging port is on the bottom is due to the original removable battery option. The charging port is in the same location as the latch for the removable battery cover. That allowed Apple to save $$ by keeping the industrial design almost identical between the two different versions.
I'm now more of a Magic Trackpad user, but as I often help others with their technology challenges I am well-used to the feel of the current Magic Mouse, and quite comfortable with the second-gen design. I love the lack of a rubber scroll wheel (which quickly gets gross and eventually useless) as with traditional PC meeses. :)
Make it compatible with wireless charging!