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I put the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro against Bose’s flagship earbuds, the QuietComfort Ultra 2, and the rivalry was closer than expected. Both are lightweight, comfortable to wear, offer similar active noise cancellation performance, and last up to (roughly) 5.5 hours on a charge. I’m glad Bose improved its fit in 2025, and Samsung is now appealing to more people by deviating from its one-off LED-equipped design from last year.
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Both the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds have a well-rounded feature set. But a lot depends on the device you’re pairing them with and the sound profile you prefer. If you’re confused about which sub-$300 earbuds to get, let me help you choose.
Specifications
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | |
| Battery life | 7 hours (ANC off); 30 hours with charging case | |
| IP rating | IP57 (dust protected and waterproof; earbuds only) | IPX4 |
| Codec support | SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless Codec | SBC, AAC, AptX |
| Additional features | Real-Time Interpreter, Bluetooth Super Wideband; voice commands, Siren Detect; LE Audio | SpeechClarity; ActiveSense; CustomTune |
| Audio modes | Noise cancellation; Ambient mode | Quiet, Aware, Cinema, Immersive |
| Price | $250 | $299 |
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro if…
1. You have a Samsung phone
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro perform best within the Samsung ecosystem, like AirPods with Apple devices. Like Apple, Samsung doesn’t support Bluetooth multipoint, and instead offers seamless auto-switch between Samsung devices. Similarly, support for features such as Gaming mode, 24-bit/96kHz ultra-high-quality (UHQ) audio, and Head Gestures is limited to Galaxy devices running a compatible version of One UI.
These are high-end features that enhance the user experience in day-to-day life, so pairing with a Samsung phone or tablet will give you the best experience. However, you’ll still get great sound, top-notch ANC, customizable EQ, and other settings on other Android devices with the Samsung Wearable app.
2. You prefer tonal balance in sound
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro use Bluetooth 6.1 and support SBC, AAC, and Samsung Seamless Codec for sound, whereas the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 connect via Bluetooth 5.3 and support SBC, AAC, and aptX Lossless codecs. Both earbuds offer good sound quality, but each has its own characteristics.
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The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are more balanced in comparison. They sound balanced across bass, midrange, and treble, which doesn’t sound too sharp at high volumes. I liked listening to vocal-heavy tracks on the Samsung earbuds more than the QC Ultra Earbuds 2.
3. You want a more compact and durable pair of earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 are more compact than their predecessor, but they’re still quite big compared to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Their cases and earbuds are both shaped differently. The Samsung earbuds are smaller and lighter than Bose’s pair and sit fully inside the ear, giving them a less bulky look overall. By contrast, Bose is more sporty with its stability bands, which lock the earbuds in place.
Samsung’s new product is IP57-rated for stronger dust and sweat resistance, compared to the QC Ultra 2’s IPX4 rating. And if you carry your earbuds in your jeans pockets, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are easier to carry, thanks to a smaller case.
You should buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 if…
1. You want more pronounced bass and better ANC
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 sound more aggressive than their Samsung counterpart. You get a thumping bass response and a V-shaped sound with brighter highs. If you enjoy an emphasis on both low- and high-end frequencies, the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 will suit you better.
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Separately, a tight seal is essential for active noise cancellation, and I found that the Bose earbuds fit my ears better. As a result, their ANC experience was slightly better than Samsung’s. It might not be true for all ear shapes, but the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 are the best ANC earbuds for me. I rate them above the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
2. You need true multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
If you have devices from multiple brands instead of, say, just using Samsung for both phone and laptop, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 will give you a better experience. They support multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair both devices simultaneously and switch between them without reconnecting each time.
When using two phones, you just need to install the Bose app on both devices to set up the system. Bose’s broader platform compatibility without limiting certain features to a particular brand might appeal to more people. Plus, you get wireless charging, so you can put it on your desk charger and forget about it.
Writer’s choice
I love the fit and comfort of both these earbuds, but I prefer the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 more because Bose’s software features are ecosystem-agnostic, and I can access the earbuds’ full suite of features on any of my devices. Bluetooth multipoint connectivity is essential in my day-to-day; I switch phones frequently, and I don’t want to lose out on certain features on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro just because I’m not using a Samsung phone. Also, Bose’s noise cancellation dampens airplane engine noise better and delivers similar battery life.
