Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds Review: In this head-to-head comparison, we pit Samsung’s new AI-powered Galaxy Buds 3 Pro against Bose’s elite true wireless noise-cancelling QC Ultra Earbuds. Both models are highly sought after in the market, and Samsung’s advancements in active noise cancellation position its latest creation as a strong contender against Bose’s best.
These earbuds share several similarities but also have distinct differences. Both feature adaptive technologies to optimize sound based on your environment and boast upscale features like spatial audio, echoing the design ethos of the AirPods Pro 2. However, they diverge in areas such as durability, usability, and wireless capabilities. Let’s dive into the details to determine which earbuds best meet your needs.
Key Feature Comparison: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs. Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | Bose QC Ultra Earbuds |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 / £191 / AU$399 | $299 / £236 / AU$449 (often discounted to $249) |
| Design | Resembles AirPods Pro, LED strip, angled stems, IP57 rating, translucent lid charging case | Same design as QC Earbuds 2, metallic sheen, IPX4 rating, pebble-shaped charging case |
| Color Options | Silver, White | Black, White, Special Edition Sky Blue |
| Controls | AI-powered, voice commands, force sensors (difficult to use) | Touch panels, reliable input, Google Assistant, Siri |
| Sound Quality | Balanced soundstage, deep bass, adaptive EQ, 360 Audio, Samsung Scalable Codec (SSC) | Unbeatable spatial audio, aptX Adaptive codec support, ActiveSense technology |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | AI-powered mics, adaptive EQ, decent but less effective than Bose | ActiveSense and CustomTune technologies, Quiet Mode, 10 sound profiles |
| Special Features & Apps | Galaxy Wearable app, AI features, 360 Audio, Game Mode, SSC (Galaxy-exclusive), PowerShare | Bose Music app, universal spatial audio, Earbuds Seal Test, Google Fast Pair, Bluetooth multipoint |
| Call Quality | AI-powered mics, excellent noise reduction, clear voice quality | Decent call quality but less clarity and ANC compared to Samsung |
| Battery Life | 6-7 hours per charge, 34 hours with charging case, wireless charging, PowerShare | Up to 6 hours per charge, 36 hours with charging case, requires special Qi-enabled case for wireless charging |
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are priced at $249 / £191 / AU$399 globally, available in silver and white. They can be purchased directly from Samsung or from online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
On the other hand, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds, despite being older (launched in October 2023), have a higher MSRP of $299 / £236 / AU$449. However, recent discounts have seen them priced as low as $249 on Bose’s website and other online platforms. Available in black, white, and a special edition sky blue, these earbuds continue to offer excellent features and performance.
Design
Bose’s QC Ultra Earbuds retain the design of the QC Earbuds 2, inspired by the original AirPods Pro, but with added metallic sheen to the touch panels. The design, wrapped in solid plastic with glossy and matte finishes, remains visually appealing and functional with an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance. The pebble-shaped charging case is equally attractive.
In contrast, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro resemble the AirPods Pro but are not as robust as the QC Ultra Earbuds. The LED strip and sharply angled stems with force sensors are striking features, but other aspects of the design are more generic. Surprisingly, these buds have a stronger IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, despite their less sturdy build. The charging case, however, is a step down from the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro’s compact case.
Both earbuds provide a comfortable and secure fit for extended listening sessions.
Controls
The QC Ultra Earbuds excel in control reliability, with touch panels that respond promptly to various input methods (single/multi-tap, long hold). Google Assistant and Siri function well, thanks to an advanced mic array with excellent speech recognition. The shortcut feature allows users to switch listening modes or activate the phone’s native assistant, and Auto Transparency adjusts ANC when wearing one bud.
Samsung’s buds highlight AI functionality extending to controls, although the voice-activated features can be inconsistent. Call management and playback voice commands work well, and Bixby performs admirably—when it functions. However, Samsung’s digital assistant often crashes or freezes on the wake-word phrase.
Ambient awareness features like Voice Detect are effective, but Siren Detect struggles with high-frequency sounds. The force sensors on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are difficult to locate and require firm presses, often failing to execute functions, diminishing usability.
Sound Quality
For audio consumption, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro deliver a balanced soundstage with deep, punchy bass and a satisfying mix of lows, mids, and highs. Samsung’s adaptive EQ adjusts sonics based on your surroundings, and features like Accessibility, Gaming Mode, and a manual EQ with presets offer customization. The 360 Audio technology provides immersive listening with precise headtracking. Bluetooth playback is exceptional through the Samsung Scalable Codec (SSC), engineered for Galaxy devices, offering dynamic bitrate scaling up to 512 kbps with minimal latency.
While the QC Ultra Earbuds may not match the audiophile-like results of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, they still offer fantastic sound quality with unbeatable spatial audio for all stereo content. Bose’s ActiveSense technology and aptX Adaptive codec support (up to 420kbps) ensure hi-res sound on compatible Android devices.
Active Noise Cancellation
Bose’s noise-cancelling technology is unmatched, with the QC Ultra Earbuds utilizing ActiveSense and CustomTune for optimal noise reduction. Aware Mode enhances situational awareness, while Quiet Mode blocks up to 95% of unwanted noise. Users can choose from 10 sound profiles to set preferred ANC levels and spatial audio modes.
Samsung’s ANC technology, though solid, doesn’t match Bose’s performance. Adaptive Mode, relying on AI-powered mics and adaptive EQ, is dependable but less effective against high-frequency noises.
Special Features and Apps
The QC Ultra Earbuds offer extensive premium features across different platforms. The Bose Music app provides access to ANC and sound modes, universal spatial audio, Earbuds Seal Test, Google Fast Pair, and Bluetooth multipoint for connecting to two audio sources simultaneously.
Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app offers several features to Apple and Android users, including sound enhancements, ANC, Find My Earbuds, and voice command activation. However, prime features like 360 Audio and Game Mode are exclusive to Galaxy device owners.
Call Quality
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro excel in call quality, with AI-powered mics reducing background noise effectively. In contrast, the QC Ultra Earbuds have seen a decline in call quality compared to their predecessors, with noticeable dips in ANC and clarity.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer 6 to 7 hours of playtime per charge, with a charging case providing up to 34 hours and supporting wireless charging and PowerShare technology. The QC Ultra Earbuds offer up to 6 hours of playtime, with the charging case providing up to 36 hours but requiring a special Qi-enabled silicone case cover for wireless charging.
Conclusion
The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds stand out as the superior noise-cancelling model, delivering excellent spatial audio and speech recognition. Despite some shortcomings in battery life and call quality, their overall performance makes them a top-tier choice.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer robust ANC, high-quality sound, and advanced call quality. However, some AI features don’t meet expectations, and the design and force sensors fall short, preventing these buds from reaching the upper echelon of true wireless earbuds.
Winner Highlights:
- Design and Durability: Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
- Controls: Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
- Sound Quality: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
- Active Noise Cancellation: Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
- Special Features & Apps: Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
- Call Quality: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
- Battery Life: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Image Source: google.com
