Google Maps drains battery much faster than Apple Maps

[saintforlife]

Been testing both Google Maps and Apple Maps going to and from work for the past couple of days.

Taking the same route and keeping the screen on for the full commute, Google Maps seemed to drain battery much faster. On one particular day Google Maps drained 9% of battery but Apple Maps only consumed 1%!

Anybody see similar results?

 

[CylonGlitch]

You know, I noticed this last night. Not quite the battery drain, I was running it plugged in. But I drove the same route (60+ miles) with both the Apple Maps and the Google Maps app (different times). The iPhone5 with Google Maps was MUCH warmer than when using the Apple Maps. Both were warm, but the GM time it was very warm.

 

[redcupr]

I just did a 20 minute drive with Google Maps and the battery clicked down about 1% per minute. The same route with Apple Maps used less than half the amount of battery. I wonder what the difference is, data or GPS usage.

 

[cal6n]

I've noticed this as well and a quick search shows that it's not confined to the iOS app. Android users have been complaining about their Maps app's high battery use for ages.

Check it out...

Looks like that's just the way it is, I'm afraid, unless Google ups their game.

Don't hold your breath.

 

[RaelFacio]

I have not tried comparing the two, but using the new Google Maps yesterday caused my iPhone 5 to get very warm after an hour. I turned it off until three hours later when I was about 8 miles from my destination. I will try to check the temperature on Monday with an infrared laser thermometer and will repost with the temperature.

After using the Google Maps app for 30 minutes today my iPhone was 98 degrees. After turning the app off the temperature of the iPhone dropped to 80 degrees within 5 minutes.

 

[Michael CM1]

I gave GM a test on the way home tonight for spits and giggles. I wonder if this is why my battery didn't seem to recharge as much as it normally does.

One thing I did notice is Google's legendary inability to give you an accurate ETA if you're going more than a mile. It told me my trip would take 46 minutes, despite the fact that it takes HEAVY traffic to make it that long. When I got to te road I turn on to get off the major highway, it told me I still had 17 minutes to go. I was six miles from home with nothing but 50 mph rural roads and five stop signs on the way.

This is one of the reasons I wish people would get a grip over the whole Apple Maps thing. Yes, it had a few major flaws. But as the Australian government showed us, no mapping system is close to perfect. Reviewers also need to realize that the vast majority of users will not need transit or pedestrian functions, especially in the U.S. it's nice to have that option now if I need it, but it's not like the color red wasn't showing up on the display.

 

[sk1wbw]

I've used both, but only a few times each. Surprisingly, I made it to my destination with both apps. I know that shocks most people that I didn't end up in Lithuania or Serbia or something, but both actually work.

 

[bc33]

I have finally found why Google Maps is draining my iPhone 5 battery. I had already logged out of my google ID, turned off all of the extra views ( Including satellite, traffic, public transport),turned off the location data collection in the privacy section of Google Maps. I turned off the app, and it was still draining the battery. I also tried turning off the phone.

Finally, I turned off the location data for the iO6 maps app.
Google Maps must be using Apples location data to produce a better location. So now, my location is less accurate (within a few blocks instead of directly on my location), but it is worth it to have my battery usage almost back to normal.

 

[Gav2k]

They both use the GPS chip in the same manor it's the data that's massively different. Google maps load huge amounts as you go. Also apple maps seems to cache the route better so if reception is lost it'll continue for a fair few miles past what google can.

 

[0924487]

Still the case when using transit in Toronto.