Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
Quick take: Only the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) supports multipoint (two devices at once).
Which one to buy
Both sell for $249. This is really a choice between the strongest noise cancelling available and the better-rounded earbud, and your phone affects the answer more than either brand would like.
On silence, Bose still wins. Owners measure roughly 85% average reduction and describe low rumble simply disappearing. The Buds 4 Pro are rated alongside the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony's XM6, which is top tier but a step behind Bose on plane drone. Almost everywhere else the Samsung pulls ahead. Its buds weigh 5.1g against 7.7g, and owners call them one of the best flagship choices for smaller ears, where Bose owners with small ears report soreness. It is rated IP57 against IPX4. Owners also call the redesigned 11mm woofer plus planar tweeter dynamic and clean across the range, where Bose owners describe punchy tuning that isn't reference-grade.
Platform is where the Samsung's case gets narrower. The 24-bit SSC UHQ codec, Auto Switch and multipoint only work with Samsung devices. Other Android phones need a workaround app, and iPhones get basic Bluetooth with no app at all. The Bose don't tie features to a phone brand: true multipoint works everywhere, aptX Adaptive works on supported Androids, and iPhones get AAC.
The weak spots are different too. Bose's is wind, which the mics turn into a loud rumble, and a year of firmware hasn't fixed it. Samsung's is call pickup that muffles if the seal is slightly off, plus silicone tips that ache after about five hours. Both have reports of a faint hiss or hum in quiet rooms. The Buds 4 Pro have only been on sale for about six months, so long-term durability data doesn't exist yet. Bose owners have a year of history, including scattered reports of failing cases.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Best if maximum silence is the job, you use a non-Samsung Android or switch phones, and your ears can handle a large bud.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
If you own a Galaxy phone: you get top-tier ANC in a smaller, more waterproof bud with sound reviewers rank alongside the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony XM6, and the features that only work on Samsung are all available to you.
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$249 | ~$249 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds |
| Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC | Adaptive ANC |
| Battery (single charge) | 6 hrs | 6 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | 24 hrs | 26 hrs |
| Quick Charge | 20 min = 2 hr | — |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, SSC UHQ, LC3 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.1 |
| Multipoint | Yes | No |
| Driver Size | — | 11 mm |
| Weight | 7.7 g | 5.1 g |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- ✓Strongest earbud ANC anywhere — low rumble just vanishes
- ✓CustomTune calibration adapts silencing to your ears
- ✓Gen 2 finally adds a wireless-charging case
- ✓Multipoint finally arrives in the second generation
- ✓AI suppression fixed gen one's mediocre call quality
- ✓aptX Adaptive on supported Android phones
- ✗6-hour battery trails Sony XM5 and Technics AZ100
- ✗Immersive Audio drops runtime near 4 hours
- ✗Chunky 7.7g buds fatigue smaller ears
- ✗No LDAC, and EQ is a basic three-band
- ✗Wind overwhelms the ANC outdoors, owners report
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
- ✓Dual-driver sound rivals AirPods Pro 3 and Sony XM6
- ✓Reviewers call comfort and mic quality best-in-class
- ✓IP57 dust and submersion rating
- ✓Bluetooth 6.1 with Auracast and LE Audio
- ✓24-bit/96kHz SSC UHQ hi-res on Galaxy devices
- ✓Premium metal-look redesign fixes Buds 3 Pro cheapness
- ✓Wireless charging case
- ✗Hi-res, 360 Audio, and AI features locked to Samsung phones
- ✗No true multipoint — Auto Switch is Samsung-account only
- ✗Proprietary ear tips block third-party replacements
- ✗Fit complaints carried over from the Buds 3 Pro
- ✗Samsung doesn't publish a quick-charge claim
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: common questions
Are the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro worth it on a non-Samsung phone?▾
Less so. The 24-bit codec, Auto Switch and multipoint require Samsung devices, other Androids need the Galaxy Wear app workaround, and iPhones get no app. On those phones the Bose keeps most of its feature set.
Are the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro or the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds better for small ears?▾
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. At 5.1g they're smaller than the Bose, and owners report minimal fatigue over 4-5 hour sessions. The 7.7g Bose buds come with only three tip sizes and are a common source of soreness for smaller ears.
Do the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds or the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro handle wind better on calls?▾
Neither is perfect. The Bose's main long-term flaw is mics turning gusts into a loud rumble. The Samsung's pickup is more sensitive to seal than to wind, muffling your voice if the bud shifts until you reseat it.