Bose Ultra Open Gen 2 vs Galaxy Buds On: Is Samsung the Better Buy?

Build & Fit

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Buds On take different approaches to open-ear comfort. Bose uses a cuff-style design with a Light Flex Grip and adjustable flex joint, allowing each earbud to wrap around the ear without entering the ear canal. Its polycarbonate and silicone construction supports this distinctive form factor while maintaining an open-ear listening experience.

Samsung opts for a clip-on design with flexible bands that secure the earbuds around the ears. Rather than using Bose’s adjustable joint, the Galaxy Buds On rely on their flexible clip-on structure. Both designs keep the ear canals unobstructed, making them suitable for listeners who prefer not to use conventional in-ear earbuds.

Controls & Usability

Bose provides physical buttons on each earbud for playback, volume and call controls. Samsung offers a more extensive control system combining touch interactions, voice commands and head gestures. Its automatic left/right detection also removes the need to manually identify which earbud goes on which side.

Verdict

Samsung takes the lead in control flexibility and hands-free interactions, while Bose offers a distinctive adjustable cuff-style fit. The better design ultimately comes down to personal comfort preferences.

Driver Performance, Bass, Mids and Highs

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) feature a newly engineered driver paired with Bose OpenAudio technology. Their sound presentation is designed around an open-ear listening experience, with Bose Immersive Audio adding a more spatial approach to playback. TrueSpatial technology further supports its immersive listening modes, including Stereo, Immersion and Cinema.

Samsung takes a more explicitly specified hardware approach with its Galaxy Buds On. They feature an 11.3mm TwinBoost speaker system with dual dynamic drivers and support 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Fi audio. This gives Samsung a stronger specification sheet for high-resolution audio playback, although actual sound quality also depends on tuning and the source device.

Codec Support & Audio Features

Bose brings Immersive Audio and dedicated Cinema and Immersion modes to the experience. Samsung counters with 360 Audio, Adaptive Volume and Sound Leakage Cancellation, alongside its high-resolution audio support.

Verdict

Samsung has the advantage on driver specifications and high-resolution audio support. Bose, however, offers a more clearly defined immersive listening feature set through TrueSpatial and its dedicated audio modes. Both target listeners who want spatial audio without traditional in-ear designs.

Noise Cancellation Quality

Neither the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) nor the Samsung Galaxy Buds On offers conventional Active Noise Cancellation. Both use open-ear designs that leave the ear canals unobstructed, prioritising awareness of surrounding sounds rather than isolating listeners from their environment.

However, Samsung introduces Sound Leakage Cancellation and Adaptive Volume. These features address different aspects of open-ear listening: limiting sound leakage and adjusting playback volume. They should not be confused with ANC, which actively reduces external noise reaching the listener.

Bose takes a different approach with its OpenAudio technology, designed around delivering sound through an open-ear format. It does not include an ANC system or a dedicated noise-cancelling mode.

Ambient & Call Performance

Neither model needs a conventional transparency mode because the open-ear construction already allows environmental sounds to remain audible. For calls, Bose uses two microphones alongside SpeechClarity technology. Samsung goes further with three microphones, a jaw-sensing Voice Pickup Unit, personalised beamforming and Deep Neural Network noise reduction. Its Super Wideband Calling also supports 16kHz call audio.

Verdict

Samsung wins on call-related hardware and noise-processing features. Bose keeps things simpler with SpeechClarity and its two-microphone arrangement. Neither is suitable for listeners specifically seeking ANC.

Battery Life & Fast Charging

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) deliver up to 9 hours of playback on a single charge, with the charging case extending total listening time to 28.5 hours. Enabling Immersive Audio or Auto Volume reduces earbud playback to 5 hours, while using both features brings it down to 4 hours. Its 10-minute quick charge provides up to 2 hours of playback, and the case supports wireless charging.

Samsung offers a longer rated battery life, with up to 9.5 hours from the earbuds and up to 38 hours when combined with the charging case. It also supports wireless charging, although a fast-charging figure is not included in the specifications provided.

Bluetooth Stability and Multipoint

Bose uses Bluetooth 5.4 and supports multipoint connectivity, allowing two devices to remain connected simultaneously. Samsung moves ahead with Bluetooth 6.2 and LE Audio readiness. Its Auto Switch feature enables automatic device switching across compatible Galaxy devices, including smartphones, tablets, Galaxy Book PCs and Samsung TVs.

Verdict

Samsung takes the battery advantage with 9.5 hours of earbud playback and 38 hours overall. Bose counters with a specified quick-charging feature and traditional multipoint connectivity. For longer listening between charges, Samsung has the stronger specifications.

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) are positioned at approximately $300 (₹28,000), placing them firmly in the premium open-ear segment. The Samsung Galaxy Buds On are comparatively more affordable at around $230 (₹20,000).

That creates a noticeable difference of approximately $70 (₹8,000), with Samsung offering the lower entry price while bringing several additional hardware and software features. These include dual dynamic drivers, 24-bit/96kHz audio support, three microphones, a jaw-sensing Voice Pickup Unit, head gestures and a longer rated total battery life.

Bose justifies its higher positioning through its distinctive cuff-style design, Immersive Audio, TrueSpatial technology, Cinema mode and established multipoint support. Its quick-charging capability also adds convenience.

Verdict 

Samsung offers better overall value on paper, particularly with its longer battery life, advanced call features, newer Bluetooth version and lower price. Bose remains an interesting alternative for listeners who specifically prefer its cuff-style design and immersive audio features. Unless those Bose-specific features are a priority, the Galaxy Buds On make a stronger case at their lower asking price.

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) stand out with their cuff-style construction, adjustable flex joint, Bose Immersive Audio, TrueSpatial technology and dedicated Cinema mode. They also offer Bluetooth multipoint and quick charging, making them a feature-rich option for listeners who prefer Bose’s approach to open-ear audio.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds On bring a different set of strengths. Their 11.3mm TwinBoost speaker system, dual dynamic drivers, 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Fi support, 360 Audio and Sound Leakage Cancellation create a comprehensive audio feature set. Samsung also adds a jaw-sensing VPU, head gestures, voice commands, Gemini and Bixby integration, and Quick Voice Memo functionality. Its 38-hour total battery rating further strengthens its appeal.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Buds On emerge as the more versatile overall package. They offer longer rated battery life, more advanced call hardware, additional smart controls and a lower price. Bose still has a compelling alternative for listeners who prioritise its distinctive cuff-style design and immersive audio experience.

Ultimately, Samsung is the stronger all-round choice, while Bose is better suited to those specifically drawn to its design and audio ecosystem.

Disclaimer: Prices, specifications, and availability may vary by region and retailer. Recommendations in this article are based on editorial opinion, feature-based value, and market positioning at the time of writing. Readers are advised to do their own research before making a purchase.