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I put the most recent Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Professional in opposition to Bose’s flagship earbuds, the QuietComfort Extremely 2, and the rivalry was nearer than anticipated.
Each fashions are light-weight, snug to put on, provide related energetic noise cancellation efficiency, and last as long as (roughly) 5.5 hours on a cost. I am glad Bose improved its slot in 2025, and Samsung is now interesting to extra individuals by deviating from its one-off LED-equipped design from final yr.
Each the Galaxy Buds 4 Professional and QuietComfort Extremely 2 earbuds have a well-rounded function set. However rather a lot depends upon the system you are pairing them with and the sound profile you like. In case you’re confused about which sub-$300 earbuds to get, let me make it easier to select.
Specs
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Professional | Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds (2nd Gen) | |
| Battery life | 7 hours (ANC off); 30 hours with charging case | 6 hours (ANC on); 24 hours with charging case |
| IP score | IP57 (mud protected and waterproof; earbuds solely) | IPX4 |
| Codec help | SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless Codec | SBC, AAC, AptX |
| Extra options | Actual-Time Interpreter, Bluetooth Tremendous Wideband; voice instructions, Siren Detect; LE Audio | SpeechClarity; ActiveSense; CustomTune |
| Audio modes | Noise cancellation; Ambient mode | Quiet, Conscious, Cinema, Immersive |
| Worth | $250 | $299 |
You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Professional if…
1. You personal a Samsung cellphone
The Galaxy Buds 4 Professional carry out finest throughout the Samsung ecosystem, like AirPods with Apple gadgets. Like Apple, Samsung does not help Bluetooth multipoint, and as an alternative provides seamless auto-switch between Samsung gadgets. Equally, help for options corresponding to Gaming mode, 24-bit/96kHz ultra-high-quality (UHQ) audio, and Head Gestures is proscribed to Galaxy gadgets operating a appropriate model of One UI.
These are high-end options that improve the person expertise in day-to-day life, so pairing with a Samsung cellphone or pill offers you the most effective expertise. Nonetheless, you may nonetheless get nice sound, top-notch ANC, customizable EQ, and different settings on different Android gadgets with the Samsung Wearable app.
2. You like tonal steadiness in sound
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Professional use Bluetooth 6.1 and help SBC, AAC, and Samsung Seamless Codec for sound, whereas the QC Extremely Earbuds 2 join through Bluetooth 5.3 and help SBC, AAC, and aptX Lossless codecs. Each earbuds provide good sound high quality, however every has its personal traits.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Professional are extra balanced as compared. They sound balanced throughout bass, midrange, and treble, which does not sound too sharp at excessive volumes. I preferred listening to vocal-heavy tracks on the Samsung earbuds greater than the QC Extremely Earbuds 2.
3. You need a extra compact and sturdy pair of earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Extremely 2 are extra compact than their predecessor, however they’re nonetheless fairly large in comparison with the Galaxy Buds 4 Professional. Their circumstances and earbuds are each formed in another way. The Samsung earbuds are smaller and lighter than Bose’s pair and sit absolutely contained in the ear, giving them a much less cumbersome look total. Against this, Bose is extra sporty with its stability bands, which lock the earbuds in place.
Samsung’s new product is IP57-rated for stronger mud and sweat resistance, in comparison with the QC Extremely 2’s IPX4 score. And for those who carry your earbuds in your denims pockets, the Galaxy Buds 4 Professional are simpler to hold, because of a smaller case.
You should purchase the Bose QuietComfort Extremely 2 if…
1. You need extra pronounced bass and higher ANC
The Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds 2 sound extra aggressive than their Samsung counterpart. You get a thumping bass response and a V-shaped sound with brighter highs. In case you get pleasure from an emphasis on each low- and high-end frequencies, the QC Extremely Earbuds 2 will go well with you higher.
Individually, a good seal is crucial for energetic noise cancellation, and I discovered that the Bose earbuds match my ears higher. Consequently, their ANC expertise was barely higher than Samsung’s. It won’t be true for all ear shapes, however the QC Extremely Earbuds 2 are the most effective ANC earbuds for me. I charge them above the Apple AirPods Professional 3.
2. You want true multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
In case you have gadgets from a number of manufacturers as an alternative of, say, simply utilizing Samsung for each cellphone and laptop computer, the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds 2 offers you a greater expertise. They help multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, so you possibly can pair each gadgets concurrently and change between them with out reconnecting every time.
When utilizing two telephones, you simply want to put in the Bose app on each gadgets to arrange the system. Bose’s broader platform compatibility with out limiting sure options to a specific model may attraction to extra individuals. Plus, you get wi-fi charging, so you possibly can put it in your desk charger and neglect about it.
Author’s alternative
I like the match and luxury of each these earbuds, however I choose the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds 2 extra as a result of Bose’s software program options are ecosystem-agnostic, and I can entry the earbuds’ full suite of options on any of my gadgets.
Bluetooth multipoint connectivity is crucial in my day-to-day; I change telephones often, and I do not need to lose out on sure options on the Galaxy Buds 4 Professional simply because I am not utilizing a Samsung cellphone. Also, Bose’s noise cancellation dampens airplane engine noise higher and delivers related battery life.
