Bose QC35 ii has been proven in million minds over years and considered to be a benchmark of the comfortable design, sound quality, and active noise cancelling technology. And over the years no-one was able to replace them, not even Bose! So here is the most awaited upgrade launch Bose QC35 iii which is the latest premium noise canceling headphones from Bose aka Bose 700. Bose QC35 iii have high end design, latest fast charging USB-C port, highly effective 11-step noise cancellation (as against 3 steps in QC 35 II) and four microphones (as against 3 in QC II). So in this post lets have a look at comparison of Bose QC35 ii vs Bose QC35 iii (aka Bose 700)
As on 29 June 2019, latest QC35 III being sold for $399 as against QC35 II for $349, which means $50 more to get hands on the latest launched QC35 III NC Headphones.
Quick look at pros and cons of QC35 II Vs QC35 III
BOSE QC35 iii |
BOSE QC35 ii |
|
| Check latest price |
QC35 III Price check |
QC35 II Price check |
| Pros | Contemporary high-end design with touch controls | Traditional looks liked by millions |
| 11 ANC levels | 3 ANC levels | |
| Four-microphone system | Foldable design | |
| USB-C – Fast charging with 2 hours of listening with 15 minutes of charging | Portable and light |
| Cons | Expensive – Spend $50 more | Micro-USB connection |
| Non-foldable design | Dual-microphone system | |
| Heavier due to more premium design | Lacks higher quality Bluetooth audio codecs (sans AAC) |
So its obvious than if you are fan of the old classic Bose QC35 II design then you wish to know what is that you get in the latest launched product and whether you should upgrade yourself with spending $399. Question is if this is worth to invest more or stay back with old is gold funda?
Lets have a look in details.. feature by feature … what makes Bose to launch the new generation QC35 III …
While the Bose QC35 II are still my most favorite once, somehow at some corner of my mind they feel to be outdated with the pace of world, maybe its being used to see that even Apple launches latest phones each year then why not Bose headphones?
So the QC35 III (aka Bose 700) brings new life in the Bose own patented noise cancelling technology (which you will agree that is un-challengable) with 11 steps ANC levels !! wow !!!
Not only that the new QC35 III bears comfortable stainless-steel headband with premium design as against the old plastic looks of QC35 II.
IF you look at the specs comparison of both these headphone models you will immediately realize the technological improvements that have gone in launching the latest upgrade.
Bose QC35 ii Vs Bose QC35 iii Specs comparison
BOSE NC Headphones |
BOSE QC35 iii |
BOSE QC35 ii |
Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 |
||
| Design | Non-foldable | Foldable |
| Check latest price |
QC35 III Price check |
QC35 II Price check |
| Battery life | 20 hours | |
| ANC levels | 11 | 3 |
| Microphones | Four | Two |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5 (not declared, but my guess) | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Bluetooth range | 33 feet | |
| Ambient noise mode | Yes | |
| Voice assistant | Alexa | |
| Google Assistant | ||
| Siri | ||
| Charging cable | USB-C Fast charging with 2 hours of listening with 15 minutes of charging |
Micro-USB |
| Misc. | Navigation controls | Physical controls |
| Bose AR | ||
| Size | 8 x 6.5 x 2 inches | 7.1 x 6.7 x 3.2 inches |
| 0.56 lbs | 0.51 lbs | |
Lets dive down more …
The Bose QC35 III looks like a step-up upgrade of the old classic QC35 II in terms of technology.
Bose QC35 ii Vs Bose QC35 iii (700)
Bose ANC update
Latest QC35 III (aka Bose 700) bears 11 steps of noise cancellation which I can say is more like the adaptive noise cancellation in the Sony WH1000XM3. Old QC35 II bears 3 steps of noise cancellation which are OFF, Maximum noise cancellation, and middle level which allows ambient sound.
Further the latest QC35 III have an adaptive four-microphone system delivering unbeatable noise cancellation during calls, 2 microphones will keep listening to the environment to deliver super voice isolation over calls. Whereas the old gen QC35 II have only two microphones, hence collect background noise during conversation.
One more step in being intelligent is that the latest QC35 III have Conversation Mode will pause your music and allow ambient noise to come through, this allows you to chat with someone without taking your headphones off.
Controls
The Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 (QC35 III) feature gesture-based controls as compared to the physical buttons of QC35 II. This is precisely inline with what all latest hi-tech headphones contains. Obviously the QC35 III are more sleeker than QC35 II (due to package of buttons)
Gesture-based navigation allows changing volume by simple up or down swipe, back / skip by backward or forward swipe and double tap to play / pause or answer / hang up a phone call.
Charging port
Its not only the charging port, but obviously the latest tech USB-C which allows fast charging (with 2 hours of listening with 15 minutes of charging) being adopted in the latest QC35 III design.
And as you know most of the high end phones now bears the latest USB-C port for charging.
Portability
This is the only area where the old QC35 II scores high over the new QC35 III.
Yes, the old QC35 II are having foldable design, which means it can go easily in the backpack occupying less space, whereas the latest QC35 III are not foadable means you will need to reserve some special space for them to carry out.
Sound signature
The Bose QC35 II are known to have a flat sound signature.
Till the Bose 700 (Bose QC35 III) are out it will be difficult to know, but surely due to the customer feedback and changes in taste, you will see refined sound signature in the upgrade.
Bottom line
If you are NEW buyer of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
First option is wait for the good discount on the old QC35 II headphones, since prices may drop down to differentiate more with the new launch, so you may get hands on to the Old Classic model at cheaper price.
Second option is to go for the latest launched ANC premium design headphones with 11 steps of noise cancellation to fine-tune the listening experience and four-microphone system, for great call quality.
If you already own the Classic Bose QC35 II
With expected sound profile, similar battery life, and smart assistants like Alexa and Google, I don’t think there is any special reason to spend $399 to get hands on the latest upgrade (unless you want to flaunt the new once)