Bose's new $179 earbuds are the AirPods 4 rivals we didn't know we needed

Apple released its lineup of midrange earbuds last week in the form of the AirPods 4, but its competitors have already entered the chat. Today, Bose announced the latest generation of QuietComfort Earbuds for $179, which promise best-in-class noise cancellation, extended battery life, and enhanced software capabilities.

The QuietComfort Earbuds are a midrange, everyday option for people who don't want the premium Bose QuietComfort Ultra but prefer a more immersive listening experience than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer.

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Bose first released the QuietComfort Earbuds II in September 2022, so they're due for a biennial update. The new QuietComfort Earbuds have Bose's esteemed noise-canceling technology, three microphones in each earbud, and an in-ear design for enhanced stability and optimal noise-canceling performance.

They still have an IPX4 rating, so their water resistance has not increased since Bose first introduced the QuietComfort Earbuds in 2020. However, Bose says the new earbuds deliver up to eight and a half hours of continuous playtime, an increase of over two hours from their predecessors. 

There's also no increase in Bluetooth connectivity between the 2022 QuietComfort Earbuds and the 2024 version. The new QuietComfort Earbuds are compatible with Bluetooth 5.3, so you're still getting more stable Bluetooth connections and efficient power consumption.

More significantly, Bose redesigned the QuietComfort Earbuds' form factor, providing a clamshell charging case design and rounded buds, compared to the egg-shaped case and elongated buds found in previous models.

Another significant change between the new QuietComfort Earbuds and their predecessors is that the latest earbuds have a separate Bose app. Instead of using the all-encompassing Bose Connect app, users can download the QC Earbuds app, which provides enhanced personalization and earbud functionality.

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Users can customize touch controls on each earbud, toggle between audio modes, and access a five-band equalizer. As AI is at the forefront of consumer electronics, Bose implemented enhanced voice assistant controls in the QuietComfort Earbuds. These allow users to answer calls, play media, and control volume by saying, "Hey, headphones." 

Previous models required users to long-press the earbuds to summon their voice assistant or use short-presses and swipes to answer calls or toggle between audio modes. Upgraded voice assistant capabilities should make these earbuds more intuitive by allowing users to complete more hands-free commands.

The new QuietComfort Earbuds debut with a feature called Remote Selfie, which allows users to control their camera with the earbuds. Additionally, low latency mode promises to shorten the delay between the audio in your buds and the video on your device's screen.

The new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are available for $179 on Bose's website in Black, White Smoke, and Chilled Lilac.