QC Ultra Earbuds vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Bose versus Samsung: the QC Ultra Earbuds and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro go after the same premium wireless earbuds buyer. Across 3 compared areas, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro takes 1. The widest gap shows up under battery & charging.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Galaxy Buds 3 Pro wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Galaxy Buds 3 Pro wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging1.4
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging3.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has a tougher IP57 rating
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro doesn’t just edge this one; IP57 against IPX4 is a lead you’ll feel. A higher water resistance rating gives more protection against sweat and rain during workouts.
-
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has 2 h more total battery with the case
You may not notice this one every day, but the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s 26 h is a step ahead of the QC Ultra Earbuds’s 24 h. A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience.
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The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has wireless charging
Not every buyer will care, but the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro gives you wireless charging and the QC Ultra Earbuds doesn’t. Wireless charging is slower than a cable, but it’s about convenience rather than speed.
Design & Size
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stability bands | In-ear with blade stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | N/A (not specified) | 0.19 oz |
| Case weight | N/A (not specified) | 1.64 oz |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on sound & noise cancelling. The sound & noise cancelling verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Battery & Charging
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro leads
The battery & charging comparison is tighter than it first looks, with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro marginally ahead. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro stands out with 2 h more total battery with the case. Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in. For anyone who cares most about battery & charging, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is the safer choice.
Battery (with case)
QC Ultra Earbuds: 24 h Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: 26 h The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
Wireless charging
QC Ultra Earbuds: no Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: yes Wireless charging lets you drop the case on a charging pad instead of hunting for a cable.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
Side by side, the features & connectivity figures for the QC Ultra Earbuds and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro barely differ. Treat features & connectivity as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.41 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Bose Immersive Audio (with head tracking) | 360 Audio (head tracking) |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SSC (incl. UHQ 24-bit/96 kHz), AAC, SBC, LC3 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 6 h | 6 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 24 h | 26 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes (winner) |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Touch (tap and swipe) | Pinch and swipe on stem |
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stability bands | In-ear with blade stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | N/A (not specified) | 0.19 oz |
| Case weight | N/A (not specified) | 1.64 oz |
Price
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $299 | $250 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Only $49 separated these two at launch, in favor of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. If value matters, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro makes a strong case: it saves $49 and wins more of the comparison.
Launch prices (US) as of July 2024. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the QC Ultra Earbuds if…
- you already know your way around Bose’s products
Choose the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if…
- you want the tougher water resistance rating (IP57 vs IPX4)
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (26 h vs 24 h)
- you want wireless charging
- you don’t need the extras that cost $49 more
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the QC Ultra Earbuds or the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
On the specs compared here, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro makes more sense for most buyers; the QC Ultra Earbuds doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Which has better battery life, the QC Ultra Earbuds or the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
It’s effectively a tie. The battery figures for the QC Ultra Earbuds and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are too close to call.
Is the QC Ultra Earbuds cheaper than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
The QC Ultra Earbuds launched at $49 more than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, based on prices as of July 2024.
Executive Summary
The QC Ultra Earbuds and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. I keep coming back to one thing: the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro gets a tougher IP57 rating. I also like that the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro brings 2 h more total battery with the case.
Choose by what you’d use most: the things a spec sheet can’t capture leads to the QC Ultra Earbuds, battery & charging leads to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.
My pick: the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.