I rely on navigation apps for almost everything, every day. I use them for my daily commute and to find businesses hidden in a nook.

I tried going without Google Maps for a week and failed miserably, eventually realizing that I cannot live without it.

But I tried Apple Maps on my iPhone 13 Pro Max to see how it navigates differently than Google Maps.

Apple Maps has come a long way since launch

Apple Maps has been the butt of the joke when compared to other navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps.

I've seen countless memes over the years about the app's lackluster offerings. But with recent updates, Apple Maps has become a competent alternative for iOS users.

The app has mapped most of North America, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and other regions quite well.

But Apple Maps' main strength is mapping metropolitan areas. I notice huge improvements and new features as soon as I start navigating roads in my area.

The app now has detailed city maps that include high-fidelity 3D landmarks/buildings, elevation data, crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights, and individual trees.

Apple Maps offers similar data for 37+ cities, with recent additions like Rome and Naples.

This is the kind of data I don't find in Google Maps, Waze, or any other navigation app I've used.

The app has a clean interface and doesn't clutter the screen with features like Google Maps. It reminds me of my Waze experience, but a bit more polished.

The CarPlay integration is also up to the mark and easy to use. It's somewhat similar to Android Auto and doesn't feel alien for first-time users.

Since Apple Maps has mapped many cities in detail, I see highly detailed, photorealistic imagery of my surroundings.

I particularly like the Look Around feature, which gives me a panoramic, street-level view of cities.

It's a more detailed version of Google Maps' Street View, but not as robust.

The biggest difference I noticed was when I was driving and getting directions. It worked differently from Google Maps.

Everything Apple Maps gets right for navigation

When I started using Apple Maps while driving, I noticed the massive difference from its Google counterpart.

For starters, Siri's voice directions are clearer and easier to understand.

But what I appreciate most is that Siri's voice sounds natural and expressive. Google Maps' voice directions feel robotic and monotone.

I didn't realize it before, but a more expressive voice made a difference during my daily commute.

But having a natural voice is one thing; I also preferred how Siri delivered directions.

Google Maps relies mostly on distance or street names as its direction data points.

But on Apple Maps, Siri gives directions using real-life landmarks and references. For example, Siri often says, "After the next stop sign, take a left."

This makes Siri feel like a fellow passenger giving directions the old-school way rather than making me calculate distances. Siri also incorporates key landmarks such as bridges, buildings, and other locations when giving directions.

While this may not sound like much, these landmark-based cues are easier to understand and don't require extra glances at the infotainment screen.

For example, when driving, Siri might say "Turn left at the gas station," or "Turn right after crossing Radio City Music Hall." When in urban areas, these nuances can make a massive difference that Google Maps and Waze sorely lack.

This, coupled with Apple Maps' 3D interface, leaves little room for error.

The same goes for Apple Maps' lane guidance. I think Google Maps should copy this feature outright instead of using its own method.

While driving, Apple Maps gives more contextual, explicit directions. It will often say, "Stay in the second lane from the right."

Google Maps, on the other hand, says "keep right" and calls it a day.

For complex turns, highway splits, lane junctions, and exits, Apple switches to a clear 3D perspective so I can better understand how to approach them.

Cities often have complicated interchanges, tunnels, or bridges, and navigating them without visual context can be a nightmare.

This might not matter much when driving in your neighborhood, but when I go to an unfamiliar area or a city like Rome on vacation, this feature comes in handy.

Apple Maps has also borrowed some of Waze's main features, such as incident reporting, speed trap reporting, and other useful features.

But unlike Waze, I can report these incidents via Siri instead of tapping my car's infotainment screen.

There's no denying Apple's ecosystem is extremely well integrated, and the same goes for CarPlay and Apple Maps. I also own an Apple Watch, which I use whenever I'm on foot navigating a new city or neighborhood.

This is my favorite feature, as navigation alerts for upcoming turns appear on the Apple Watch's screen.

These alerts often come with faint haptic vibrations that grow stronger as I get closer to the turn.

This removed the need to use my phone while navigating and let me soak in my surroundings instead.

The same feature also extends to driving. These alerts keep me focused, and I don't have to stare at my phone or the car's screen navigation.

I'm also a massive fan of CarPlay's seamless handoff feature, which I haven't experienced in Android Auto.

Finally, Apple Maps is also more private, with no telemetry like Google Maps.

Google Maps likes to collect every data point possible, and I recommend turning these features off right away.

There's no denying Apple Maps has come a long way and is quickly closing the gap with Google Maps.

But there are a few caveats you can't ignore. For starters, Apple Maps lacks good coverage outside major cities.

While I like Apple Maps' Look Around feature for panoramic views, Street View is more detailed and useful.

Similarly, Google Maps and Waze integrate better for electric vehicle (EV) users, with better EV routing and charging-station data.

Google Maps also has better search functionality, and when paired with location details, it's easier to find restaurants and businesses.

The same goes for looking up public transport information. Google Maps provides relevant and detailed information about buses, subways, and ride-hailing apps.

Finally, Google Maps has wider coverage with offline maps, especially in rural areas, while Apple Maps focuses more on urban areas.

Both navigation apps can learn from each other

Apple Maps is rapidly closing the gap with Google Maps and, in some cases, delivers a superior experience.

Google Maps can learn a lot from its rival, and Apple Maps can too.

If I were a developer, I would borrow the best features from both and build a comprehensive navigation app.

But for now, I'm still sticking to Google Maps for my daily commute and using Apple Maps when I'm driving in a new city.

https://www.androidpolice.com/google-apple-maps-comparison-navigation/