Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) / Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation)

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

Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation): AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation; USB-C case with speaker and wireless charging. The AirPods 4 without ANC and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

SpecificationBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation)
Release year20252024
LaunchAnnounced 10 September 2025; available from 2 October 2025 Bose—
Noise controlActive noise cancellation; Quiet and ambient-sound Aware modes BoseActive Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness

Without ear tips the ear canal is not sealed like with silicone-tip earbuds, so ANC mainly reduces low-frequency rumble. Adaptive Audio blends ANC and Transparency based on surrounding sound.

Apple
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		—
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 Bose—
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—
Chip—Apple H2 headphone chip Apple
Audio—Custom high-excursion Apple driver; high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalisation Apple
Microphones and sensors—Dual beamforming microphones and inward-facing microphone; Voice Isolation; optical in-ear sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; force sensor

The force sensor lets you press the stem to control playback, calls and listening modes.

Apple
Battery life—Earbuds: 4 hours with ANC on, 5 hours with noise control off; with case: 20 hours with ANC on, 30 hours off; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple
Charging case—Charges via USB-C, an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger; speaker for Find My

No USB-C cable is included. The speaker helps locate a lost case by sound.

Apple
Durability—IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance

Not intended for water sports; resistance can decrease over time.

Apple
Connectivity—Bluetooth 5.3

Works as standard Bluetooth earbuds with non-Apple devices; features such as automatic switching, Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio need current Apple software.

Apple
Size and weight—Earbud 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 34.7 g Apple