Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) / Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): QCUH2-HEADPHONEARN · second-generation over-ear Ultra

Apple AirPods (3rd generation): AirPods (3rd generation) launched in 2021 with the MagSafe Charging Case; from 2022 a version with the Lightning Charging Case was also sold. The earbuds are the same with either case. AirPods 4, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro are separate models.

SpecificationBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Release year20252021
LaunchAnnounced 10 September 2025; available from 2 October 2025 Bose—
Noise controlActive noise cancellation; Quiet and ambient-sound Aware modes Bose—
WirelessBluetooth 5.4; multipoint connection to two devices

Bose quotes a 30 ft (about 9 m) range. On Snapdragon Sound sources, Gaming Mode uses aptX Adaptive.

Bose		—
Digital audioUSB-C; 24-bit / 48 kHz lossless audio support

The product page’s current FAQ says 16-bit, 44.1/48 kHz for USB audio; manufacturer sources disagree on bit depth.

Bose		—
Analog audio2.5 mm headphone input; included 3.5 mm–2.5 mm cable; headphones must be powered on Bose—
BatteryUp to 30 hours with ANC on and immersive audio off; 23 hours with immersive audio; 45 hours with both off

Manufacturer test figures; volume, settings and use affect runtime.

Bose		Up to 6 hours of listening per charge (5 hours with Personalised Spatial Audio on); up to 30 hours with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple
ChargingUSB-C; up to 3 hours for a full charge; 15 minutes for up to 3 hours with ANC on Bose—
ControlsPower/Bluetooth and multifunction buttons; touch volume strip; wear detection BosePress the stem once to play/pause or answer a call; twice to skip forward or end a call; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri

There is no on-bud volume control.

Apple
Weight and sizeHeadphones about 264 g; 4.5 × 16.0 × 20.5 cm

Manufacturer figures are 0.583 lb and 1.772 × 6.299 × 8.071 in; metric values are converted.

Bose		—
In the boxCarry case; 3.5–2.5 mm audio cable; 1 m USB-C to USB-C cable

No charging adapter in the box.

Bose		—
ModesQuiet, Aware, Immersion, Cinema; EQ and shortcuts in the Bose app Bose—
Water resistanceNo IP rating; avoid situations where the headphones may get wet Bose—
PC calls8.2.20 and later: two-way PC audio over USB-C; app compatibility varies Bose—
Software 10.12.128 September 2026: LE Audio beta on compatible Android/Windows devices and improved USB calls Bose—
Design and fit—Open-fit in-ear design without silicone tips; short stem

Because the earbud does not seal the canal, ambient sound is heard; fit depends on ear shape and there are no interchangeable tips.

Apple
Audio technology—Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ

Adaptive EQ measures what is heard in the ear with the inward-facing microphone and adjusts the tuning to the fit in real time. Head tracking anchors sound to the Apple device’s screen. There is no active noise cancellation or transparency mode.

Apple
Chip and connectivity—H1 headphone chip; Bluetooth 5.0

Automatic device switching, “Hey Siri” and one-tap pairing work with Apple devices.

Apple
Sensors and microphones—Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor

The skin-detect sensor pauses playback when an earbud is removed.

Apple
Charging case—MagSafe Charging Case (MagSafe, Qi and Lightning) or Lightning Charging Case

The included cable is Lightning to USB-C; there is no adapter.

Apple
Sweat and water resistance—IPX4: earbuds and charging case

IPX4 protects against splashes; it is not for submersion.

Apple
Size and weight—Earbud (each): 30.79 × 18.26 × 19.21 mm, 4.28 g; case: 46.40 × 54.40 × 21.38 mm, 37.91 g Apple