Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen Leak Points To Fresh Design and More

Bose appears to be readying a second-generation version of its QuietComfort headphones, and the update looks more substantial than a simple colour refresh.

The original QuietComfort model arrived in September 2023 as the more accessible member of Bose’s noise-cancelling headphone line-up, replacing the QC45 and offering 24 hours of battery life alongside active noise reduction widely regarded as among the best in class.

The QuietComfort Ultra, launched at roughly the same time, has already moved on to a second generation, gaining 30-hour battery life, USB-C lossless audio and a new Cinema Mode in September 2025.

Until now, however, there had been no sign that the standard QuietComfort model was due the same treatment — not even the usual whisper trail of leaks and rumours.

That now looks set to change. According to the latest information courtesy of Dealabs, a Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) is on the way, bringing a revised design, a broader colour palette and several audio upgrades while keeping the core QuietComfort proposition intact.

New Colours, New Look, New Skills

At launch, the Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) is expected to arrive in at least six finishes. Black carries over from the current range, but the rest of the line-up appears to be new, with White Smoke, Rosewood Mauve, Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint and Hazelnut Taupe joining the mix. In other words, Bose seems keen to move the QuietComfort line away from safe, familiar shades below, and into a softer, more lifestyle-led palette.

However, the new colourways are just the beginning as Bose is said to have reworked the headphones with pill-shaped ear cushions, a wider sliding headband and more synthetic leather, all intended to improve day-to-day comfort. The audio feature set also looks set to step up, with Bose TrueSpatial promising a more immersive and natural presentation regardless of the source material.

USB-C is also expected to do more than simply charge the headphones this time around. The second-generation model reportedly supports lossless high-fidelity audio over USB-C, a notable upgrade over the first-generation QuietComfort. Noise control has apparently been refined too, with ActiveSense smoothing unwanted sound peaks in Aware mode, while call quality is tipped to benefit from more effective suppression of background noise.

Listening modes also appear to have been reshuffled. Instead of the previous custom mode system, which was largely centred on Wind Block, the new QuietComfort is expected to offer Immersion, Cinema Mode for video content and the option to disable active noise cancellation. The controls are said to have been redesigned as well, with button placement moving directly onto the earcups for a more intuitive feel.

Despite all the new additions, battery life is not expected to improve dramatically - but, by the same mark, not be impeded by the tech updates. The QuietComfort (2nd Gen) is said to offer up to 24 hours of listening with active noise cancellation enabled, matching the outgoing model. Switch on TrueSpatial immersive audio, and that figure reportedly drops to around 18 hours.

Pricing looks reassuringly similar to the outgoing model’s launch costing. In the US, the new QuietComfort is expected to remain at US$359, with European and UK pricing apparently sitting around €349.95 and £299.95 respectively. Given the addition of TrueSpatial, Cinema Mode and USB-C lossless audio, holding the line on price would help Bose keep the QuietComfort firmly positioned as the approachable option beneath the Ultra range.

Pre-orders are said to open on August 7, with shipping expected to begin on August 13. Bose has yet to make the headphones official, but if those dates hold, confirmation should not be far away.

For more information visit Bose