When it comes to generating excitement for new tech, no brand does it quite like Apple. With the release of the AirPods Pro 3, Apple promised “unbelievable sound quality” and “the world’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation,” along with improvements in design, battery life, and even health tracking. They’ve also introduced Live Translation, allowing real-time in-ear interpretation of foreign languages. Meanwhile, Bose has entered the spotlight with its QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen, priced at $299 and positioned directly against Apple’s Airpods pro 3 model. After hands-on testing of both, here’s a comparison of these two.

Sound Quality

Apple has made noticeable progress in audio tuning with the AirPods Pro 3. They deliver a brighter, crisper sound profile compared to both the previous Pro 2 model and the lighter AirPods 4. High frequencies-guitars, cymbals, and keyboards—shine with clarity, especially when streaming from Apple Music, Amazon Music, or Qobuz. Fans of vibrant, high-end tones will enjoy their energy and sparkle.

However, when switched over to the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen, the difference becomes clear. Bose offers a more balanced and natural sound, especially with genres like jazz, classical, or acoustic recordings. Their deeper bass response and richer midrange create a fuller, more immersive listening experience. Even live recordings feel more authentic and spacious on the Bose buds.

When comparing AirPods vs Bose sound quality, Apple’s only advantage appears when playing Dolby Atmos spatial content. The Pro 3s deliver a broader, airier soundstage compared to Bose’s proprietary “Immersion” and “Cinema” modes. Still, for pure audio fidelity across all genres, Bose takes the lead.

Winner for ANC and Comfort: Bose

Active Noise Cancellation and Comfort

Apple claims the AirPods Pro 3 offer the “world’s best” in-ear noise cancellation, but that statement is somewhat misleading. The company compared its performance to “best-selling” wireless earbuds at the time-essentially, its own earlier models.

The new AirPods Pro 3s do show modest improvements in ANC, partly due to the additional rear microphone and upgraded foam-lined silicone ear tips. These create a better seal and slightly reduce ambient noise. However, achieving that seal requires some effort, and extended wear may cause mild ear fatigue.

The Bose QC Ultra 2s provide a more comfortable and secure fit with softer tips and stabilizing bands that hold the buds in place naturally. When tested against simulated airplane and cafe noises, Bose clearly excelled-diminishing background sounds to near silence, even without music playing.

Winner for ANC and Comfort: Bose

Health and Hearing Features

This is where Apple distinguishes itself. The AirPods Pro 3 introduced expanded health-tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, something Bose doesn’t currently offer. They also improve upon existing features like Conversation Awareness, which automatically lowers audio volume when the user starts speaking, and Adaptive Listening, which adjusts sound levels based on environmental noise.

In loud environments, such as concerts or festivals, the Adaptive mode effectively reduces harmful sound exposure without heavily distorting the music. Also, Apple continues to support certified hearing aid functionality, now extending listening time to 10 hours when used in this mode. Bose lacks these advanced wellness or adaptive hearing tools, focusing instead on audio precision and comfort.

Winner for Health and Hearing Features: Apple

Voice Call Performance

Both brands have improved call clarity compared to their earlier models, but Bose has the upper hand here, too. The QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen deliver clearer, louder, and more natural-sounding voice calls on both ends. Apple’s Pro 3s perform adequately but occasionally compress voices, especially in noisy surroundings.

Winner for Voice Calls: Bose

Live Translation: The New Apple Trick

Apple’s AI-powered Live Translation feature is an exciting addition, at least on paper. Compatible with iPhone 15 Pro or newer models running iOS 26 and “Apple Intelligence,” it supports a handful of languages in its current Beta phase, including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German.

In practice, however, it’s inconsistent. The translations can be delayed by about a second, often missing or misinterpreting phrases unless the speaker talks very slowly. It’s also unavailable in some regions, like the EU, due to ongoing privacy reviews. While innovative, the feature isn’t yet reliable enough for everyday use. Bose doesn’t offer a translation feature at all, so Apple wins here, though mainly for effort rather than flawless execution.

Winner for Live Translation: Apple (with room for improvement)

Battery Life and Efficiency

The AirPods Pro 3 battery life boasts up to eight hours of listening time, an improvement over both the Pro 2 and Bose’s six-hour battery life. This boost likely comes from Apple’s reengineered processing algorithms, which may also slightly affect the sound’s richness and dynamic range. Bose sacrifices battery duration for its powerful audio output and noise cancellation performance.

Winner for Battery Life: Apple

Both earbuds represent the top of their class but serve different audiences:

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 are ideal for users seeking feature-rich earbuds that integrate smoothly with the Apple ecosystem. They excel in health tracking, adaptive listening, battery life, and innovative (if still-developing) features like Live Translation.
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen dominate in core performance areas-offering superior sound quality, industry-leading noise cancellation, and unmatched comfort for long listening sessions.

So, if you compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 vs AirPods Pro 3, you value advanced features and ecosystem synergy; Apple’s Pro 3s are your go-to choice. But if you prioritize premium audio and total silence in noisy environments, Bose’s QC Ultra 2s hold the top spot.

Best for features: Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best for performance: Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen