AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds
Open-fit TWS · ANC · 5h/30h · H2 chip · BT 5.3
MSRP
QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds
In-ear TWS · ANC · 6.5h/24h · aptX Adaptive · BT 5.3
MSRP
Our verdict
The QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds takes the performance lead with a 10% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.
However, the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds tells a compelling value story. At $180 versus the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds's $300 price tag, it costs 67% less while delivering performance that's only 10% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.
Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds is the smarter purchase. The QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.
Performance winner
QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds
10% faster overall
Best value for money
AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds
14% better value per dollar
AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds best for
Power efficiency
14% better value per dollar
Audio
Battery
Comfort
Connectivity
Noise Cancellation
Frequently asked questions
Is the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds worth $120 more than the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds?
It depends on your needs. The QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds scores 86 overall vs 78 for the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds offers better value.
Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds or QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds?
The QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.
Can the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds handle 4K gaming?
The AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.
Which should I buy, the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds or QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds?
Choose the AirPods 4 ANC Earbuds if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 Earbuds if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.
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