Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) / Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE (SM-R420)

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

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE (SM-R420): Galaxy Buds3 FE, SM-R420 (2025); Black and Gray. Sealed in-ear design with silicone tips. The tipless semi-open Galaxy Buds3, the Buds3 Pro and the original 2023 Galaxy Buds FE are separate models.

SpecificationBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE (SM-R420)
Release year20252025
LaunchAnnounced 10 September 2025; available from 2 October 2025 Bose—
Noise controlActive noise cancellation; Quiet and ambient-sound Aware modes BoseActive noise cancelling (ANC) and ambient sound

ANC uses microphones to detect outside sound and plays inverted sound to reduce steady noise such as engines and hum. Ambient sound lets you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds. Adaptive ANC that adjusts to the environment is not listed for this model.

Samsung
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		Earbud 53 mAh, case 515 mAh (typical); music: 6 h / 24 h total with ANC on, 8.5 h / 30 h total with ANC off; talk: 4 h / 18 h total

Samsung’s times come from internal tests with pre-production units and default settings; rated capacity is 50 mAh per earbud and 500 mAh for the case. Real runtime depends on volume, codec and battery age.

Samsung
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 BoseIP54 (earbuds only)

IP54 means limited dust protection and resistance to splashing water from any direction; it is not suitable for submersion. The charging case is not protected.

Samsung
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—Sealed in-ear design, silicone tips (three sizes), stem body; earbud 18.0 × 21.1 × 33.8 mm, 5 g (with M tip); case 58.9 × 48.7 × 24.4 mm, 41.8 g

Silicone tips seal the ear canal, blocking outside sound passively and helping bass sound fuller; if the tip does not seal, noise cancelling and bass both weaken.

Samsung
Driver and microphones—1-way dynamic driver; 3 microphones per earbud Samsung
Connectivity and codecs—Bluetooth 5.4, Auto Switch; SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec), AAC, SBC

SSC is Samsung’s own codec for higher-quality audio with Galaxy devices; other phones use AAC or SBC. Auto Switch moves the connection automatically between Galaxy devices on the same account.

Samsung
Sensors and controls—Proximity, Hall, touch and pressure sensors; pinch/swipe controls on the stem Samsung
Compatibility—Android 11 or later with more than 1.5 GB of RAM

Samsung notes some features may be unavailable on non-Samsung devices. Equaliser, ANC settings and AI features are managed in the Galaxy Wearable app or One UI settings.

Samsung