Bose refreshes its open-ear earbud range with the second-generation Ultra Open Earbuds, introducing extended battery life, wireless charging, and an enhanced audio experience, reinforcing its position in the open-ear audio market.
Bose has refreshed its open-ear range with the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen), a model that keeps the same core concept as the original while adding several practical upgrades. The company says the new version will go on sale on 1 October at £299.95, with pre-orders available through MyBose before launch. It will be offered in Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green and Sky Pink, while Bose’s own product page also lists Black and White Smoke for the US market. Bose positions the earphones as an open design for people who want awareness of their surroundings as well as personal audio, rather than the isolation expected from conventional noise-isolating earbuds.
The biggest change is battery life. Bose says the second-generation buds can run for up to nine hours on a charge, compared with 7.5 hours for the earlier pair, while the case still provides a further 19.5 hours. That redesign matters beyond power alone: the charging case is now shaped to stand upright and supports wireless charging without an extra fee, whereas the original case was sold separately in some markets. Bose also says the earbuds use its OpenAudio system and a tighter acoustic structure intended to improve clarity while reducing sound leakage, an area where the first generation already performed well, according to Trusted Reviews.
Bose is also adding a new Cinema Mode, which the company says uses its True Spatial audio technology to create a wider, more theatrical sound field. That suggests a more ambitious attempt to make open-ear earbuds sound fuller without sealing the ear canal, although independent testing will be needed before judging how convincing the effect is in practice. Related launch coverage from Tom’s Guide, SoundGuys and PhoneArena says Bose is also promoting clearer calls, revised drivers and voice-processing features such as SpeechClarity and Auto Volume. Notebookcheck reported that Bose claims the new model delivers 20% longer battery life and support for Snapdragon Sound with Qualcomm aptX.
A later firmware update is expected to add Google Find Hub support, giving users a way to locate misplaced earbuds, and Alexa+ compatibility. Bose’s announcement also points to a broader push into open-ear listening, alongside the Sport Open Earbuds. For buyers weighing the choice between generations, the first Ultra Open Earbuds remain a credible option, especially if discounted, but the second generation looks like a more rounded package thanks to the longer battery life, wireless charging and the added software features.
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