Wireless Earbuds / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Two-way drivers and IP57 — the Galaxy flagship, locked to Galaxy phones.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
This is close. The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro edges ahead by 0.1 points, but that margin is inside the noise — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is a defensible pick on its own terms. The best noise cancelling in any earbud — at the cost of battery life.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are both closely matched wireless Earbuds models, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro is $49 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ($249.99 vs $299). On Durability, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads (8.5 vs 6.5/10) — IP rating, build materials and case robustness. On Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads (9.8 vs 8.5/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed. On Battery, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads (6.5 vs 6.0/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.0/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.9/10 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $249.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Battery (ANC on) (hrs) | 6 | 6 |
| Battery with Case (hrs) | 24✓ | 21 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Bose adjustable ANC with CustomTune ear-canal calibration; Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes | ANC 2.0 — adaptive, with real-time EQ analysis and repositioned wind-resistant microphones |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by the manufacturer | Samsung states a two-way design with a woofer roughly 20% larger than the Buds3 Pro, but publishes no millimetre figure |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | Samsung's US specification says 5.4 while retail listings claim 6.1 — unresolved |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes, but across Samsung devices only |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Weight per Bud (g) | 7.26 | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Codecs | Bose lists Bluetooth profiles only; aptX Adaptive was on the first generation but is unconfirmed here | SBC, AAC, SSC and LC3 — no LDAC or aptX |
| Spatial Audio | Yes — Bose Immersive Audio with Still and Motion head-tracked modes, plus a new Cinema Mode | Yes, with head tracking, but Samsung devices only |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet | Black, White |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are level here, at 8.5/10 each. tuning, detail and codec support is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.8 against 8.5 — a 1.3-point margin on how much ambient noise is actually removed. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort & Fit
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are level here, at 8.5/10 each. microphone performance and background noise rejection is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Features
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on IP rating, build materials and case robustness. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are level here, at 7.0/10 each. features and performance relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores 9.8/10 here (how much ambient noise is actually removed).
- • Comfort & Fit matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores 8.5/10 here (weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions).
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro if…
- • Durability matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.5/10 here (IP rating, build materials and case robustness).
- • Battery matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 6.5/10 here (playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case).
- • Features matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.5/10 here (app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras).
- • You want to spend less — it's $49 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is workout.
Pros & Cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +Best noise cancelling available in an earbud, comfortably ahead of Apple and Sony
- +CustomTune ear-canal calibration meaningfully improves both ANC and sound
- +Nine fit combinations means almost anyone can get a seal
- +Wireless charging finally built into the case rather than a separate cover
Cons
- −Worst battery in the premium tier — 6 hours, dropping to just 4 with Immersive Audio on
- −Only IPX4, with no dust protection at $299
- −Heaviest buds here at over 7g each
- −Bose publishes neither driver size nor codec support
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Pros
- +Two-way drivers with dual amplifiers is a genuinely more capable design than single-driver rivals
- +IP57 matches AirPods Pro 3 for ruggedness
- +Auracast support and 24-bit hi-res on Galaxy phones
- +Excellent call quality with wind-resistant mics
Cons
- −6 hours with ANC on and 21 total is poor for a $249 product
- −Multipoint, head tracking, hi-res and translation all require Samsung hardware
- −No iOS app at all, so iPhone users get basic playback only
- −Samsung's own site and retail listings disagree on the Bluetooth version
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Durability, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores higher on Durability (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — IP rating, build materials and case robustness.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.8/10 vs 8.5/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed.
Which is better for Battery, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores higher on Battery (6.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case.
Which is better for Comfort & Fit, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores higher on Comfort & Fit (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth the price difference over the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro is the cheaper option at $249.99 versus $299. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Durability.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is the better fit if you mainly care about travel or commute. The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro is the better fit for workout.
What's the warranty on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro — $249.99
Premium Option
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — $299.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.