Initially it may seem like this question has an obvious answer – why would Google make a better app for a competitor than the one for its own OS, right? However, Google Maps, like many of Google’s software, is an entity that people judge independent of the kind of phone they are using it on. If someone finds Google Maps disappointing, it reflects on the entire organization, and not on the fact that their phone had a slow processor or small screen. Therefore, Google has always strived to work well on all platforms. As iPhone users recently discovered with the Apple Maps fiasco, there is really no escaping the Google.
So how does Google Maps fare on the iPhone as compared with its version for Android? Well, quite equally in the most basic form. If you consider it the duty of a map to show you the directions to your destination and tell you how much time it is going to take, both apps do that perfectly well. They have voice instruction for each turn and, quite like a car GPS system, come up with instant rerouting instructions when you go off-track. However, users are no longer happy with just that. Now, maps are expected to provide a whole experience during the journey, including advice for rest stops, traffic information, etc.
Google Maps with Android comes with several layers that can be activated or deactivated as per the user’s choice. This includes a layer for traffic info, wherein the software uses red, green and orange colors to indicate the level of traffic ahead. There is also a layer for nearby restaurants and cafes, which is very convenient if you are on a long road trip and don’t want to eat all your meals at McDonald’s or Subway! These layers are missing on the iPhone app, and the user will have to exit the maps app and use Siri to get this information.
A drawback of the Android app is that it uses up a lot juice, so if you are traveling without a car charger, this app will create a lot of trouble. This changes depending on the hardware being used, but is true for most HTC and older Samsung phones. The iPhone is more energy-efficient when Google Maps is running, and if you do plug it into a power outlet, it will stay fully charged the whole time.
