Drive Test: iOS 6 Turn By Turn versus Google Maps and Navigation

A live drive test comparison of iOS 6 turn by turn navigation on an iPhone 4S alongside Google Maps and Navigation running on an HTC One X.

[@TheDrk92]

i fell asleep watching this, and it still wasnt over

[@gerkeg.dejong8145]

Altijd de juiste informatie wanneer iedere seconde telt! Real time every where!

[@truehate101]

the android version tends to prepare u more for the turn which is useful so u can get into ur lane early instead of last minute

[@favouredlisa8218]

So true

[@ednilsomuller]

And it has speed limiter

[@ChrispyNut]

Thanks for taking the time to do that Brian (even though I've only just found thanks for youtube recommendations). I totally agree about the current speed being displayed, but also think that the current speed limit should also be displayed. I tried some other nav apps on Android a while back that had those features, but the actual navigation was lacking. Looking forward to navigation getting an update, iMaps does make navigation look dated now :|

[@Ysbriel]

i was hearing a lot of negative things about the ios maps but this vid showed a impresive performance for being the newbie next to google maps, just a minor fixes here and there and it could surpas it easily

[@acuraz88]

It's obvious that you are biased on iOS. Google maps is much more accurate and shows more detail for the side roads. Google maps also shows the picture of your destination. Why did you not call this out?

[@DoritosResidue]

I have used both. Google maps is definitely more accurate and very detailed. Google maps has spent more time and has much more vast info than Apple maps. Everything is updated a whole lot more than Apple maps.

[@mactang5956]

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[@mactang5956]

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[@Tobaman111]

This was great. I'm blown away by iOS 6, considering it's version 1.0. Also, the 808 did a great job.

[@SamCoder.]

got recommended this vid in 2024 :)

[@miikeV33]

It's easy to see you're a bit biased towards the iPhone.

[@MarcoPon]

Most interesting thing on the video: PureView video quality! Just damn nice!

[@JeanLouisNguyen]

Google Maps has the little details right: it automatically adjusts the zoom level when there's about to be an exit or turn. It shows you a Street View when you arrive at your destination (and a button which lets you report any wrong location). Also, Google Maps has a night color scheme, and also turns the map into night mode when you're entering a tunnel, automatically.

[@cinorhc88]

Vlogging while on the phone while driving! Brilliant! I'm nominating you for a Darwin award!

[@GarrettNorman2015]

It's AT&T's HSPA+ network, basically a faster version of their 3G network. Not to be confused with 4G LTE that carriers are now switching to.

[@TheLifeOfAlvinLowery]

On Google, you have an option to choose the shortest distance in the settings

[@laughingatthisworldz]

Exactly, I also think that initially google maps showed a route with actually accounts for the traffic, while apple nav does not.

[@sinbreaker2885]

haha, I pretty much live there. Campbell is a nightmare during work and school days. Thanks for this review.

[@lucky200027218]

I like how google maps has turn by turn voice navigation for the iPhone 3gs and 4, compared to apple maps where you need at least an iPhone 4s or 5 to do that

[@allthenamesaretaken2]

Most phones have an actual gps unit that can connect to sattelites, internet is use to assist and make routings faster

[@Rosquilliam2]

I live by Google Navigation. After 2 years of using it, I can't imagine driving to certain places without it.

[@KnomChomper]

Larger roads are differentiated better on google maps, with different road width and colors, but the signage seems a bit more clear on iOS. Google maps automatically zooms out to give you a better view of whats coming ahead when you're traveling at faster speeds-iOS seems to stay the same regardless. Google maps' voice is more lifelike and understandable than iOS's and sounds friendlier, but it seems that verbally iOS voice directions seem to be a bit more helpful than el goog's.

[@medallish]

They both seem equally useful, having used Google Navigation for a while now, I can't really complain, it has the usual GPS issues, but yeah I get where I need to go..

[@NikolasSkoufis]

You can't say you don't like that the navigation routed you onto smaller roads. That's the whole point of a navigation app. To take you down the best calculated route somewhere that you're unfamiliar with.

[@jtdog05]

Google's nav mechanics know when you are on a highly used road, and thus tries to keep you from needing to turn left and cross traffic, because it assumes further delay in waiting to make the left. That's why it routed you straight down Glenn St.

[@shonkapai341]

Ah.... Unfair review. Missed out more then a dozen of the Google map features. Nevertheless this video showed me how IOS is still way behind Google Map. ;) Cheers

[@steviefranchize21]

the ios map interface looks alot nicer and cleaner then andrioids for sure. as far as the voices go, they both sound somewhat robotic but wouldnt care listening to either one. i havent had any issues so far with the ios maps here in houston but it will only get better thats for sure...

[@Mikocyte]

Awesome video! I live in Tucson too! It was pretty cool to see the differences in the navigation. I have the N920 and Nokia Drive is pretty good. The one thing I definitely would love for it to do is tell what side of the road the destination is on. It's pretty annoying when you're in a neighborhood trying to find a house. It does have the Speed Limit tracker though.

[@FKJ555]

Would like to see if Google would choose a different route at night. It does take traffic into consideration and as far as i can see, Apple maps does not. I like Google maps, the street view in the end is perfect.

[@808jspekeg6]

Siri via jailbreak spire is the official siri. In comparison to my friend's 4S, they both responded simultaneously, and with the exact same results. Siri answers with more "unnecessary" details that can be irrelevant to the question. Google Now has addition "Card" features, which is stated above, that siri doesn't have. Video is a comparison of the 1 year old G-Nexus against the brand new iphone 5. Iphone 4S responds much slower then the 5.

[@davidsellars770]

I prefer Apple maps, yeah it started crap but it is rapidly getting better. Sure it does not have all of Google maps features but it does the job with (to me) an easier / better UI.

[@NathanOKane]

I like the green signs on ios instead of the text going through the roads on google nav. The voice is way better on google though.

[@ProjectE2]

a nice calm and quite test:)

[@AlexLapinski]

I think you can change it, and in the UK the voice on the Nexus 7 is just as good as the one on my iPhone.

[@vidoardes]

I wasn't sure if iOS was lagging, or Android was being too eager. I haven't noticed anything like that with Google maps, but I don't like to assume. It was obvious they were different though.

[@vidoardes]

Google maps can be quite chatty (I use android phones), but iOS seemed to give too little warning IMHO. One thing that does stand out to me is how much nicer iOS maps looks than Google's offering. It makes the next direction a lot easier to read, and the surrounding street names are more visible as well. I do like the fact that Goog gives you more info though (such as remaining journey time).

[@FamousYasserX]

Although i like how IOS6 Tells you what stores you are driving by.

[@Aikidood]

I agree with you about the current speed feature.

[@sayberpat1]

in google maps you can download cities to use offline for places with no reception

[@gtawesom3]

I think that siri sounds like a fat shopping assistant while Google Maps sounds like a hot cheerleader...

[@wdmnetwork]

Can you get into an accident so we can see which phone withstands a head on collision better? That will really help me decide.

[@broeci]

they bought the maps from Navteq, a company from tomtom. They also got the whole layout from Navteq

[@Teamshmo]

That test was awesome, thanks for making it with all the tough re-routes etc. I noticed iOS6 to be usually about a half block away from the real destination. You would pass streets and iOS6 would still say it's a little ahead. I noticed that with the old maps as well, I would always miss the turn since it's telling me it's the next street when it really wasn't. Also like how google maps always shows the estimated time at the bottom.

[@wbaker1279]

18:23 SIRI: "Your here, They don't pay me enough to do maps figure it out on your own, I'm out of here!"

[@dreamcore]

Waze does have an optional speedometer in the corner like he was looking for... I just tested it against Google's today, though, and liked Google better for turn-by-turn..

[@jerseydevil1995]

4G is actually HSPA+ on AT&T, Verizon it's actually LTE. HSPA+ is 3G but faster.

[@ShrinandIyer]

in some places... esp in the end... iOS shows 0ft and g maps shows 100 or 200 ft remaining.... also regarding your comment for lack of speed being shown on screen, u shoud have tried nokia maps on iOS itself or used ur pure view phone instead!! I've used it in India and it is very precise....

[@iskadobadsf]

what are the differences between "waze" and "apple maps"? thanks for the review by the way.

[@Kevinschart]

The lack of turn by turn was not a Google maps oversight. It was an apple oversight. Android and blackberry phones have had turn by turn for years.

[@bplewis24]

One difference I noticed is that the notification/information bar is visible at the top of the Android OS with the Maps app open, but nothing else is visible in iOS. I'm sure that's intentional because they (Apple) assume you're driving, but it would be hard for me to do without that information.

[@filmer765]

Google maps all the way.

[@jayshreeshah19]

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[@carolcarias5926]

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[@Lavenchi]

its actually funny that he ended up taking the route that google maps originally suggested.

[@truehate101]

iPhone version isn't as bad as i thought but seems u have to look at the screen more

[@garymarshall7388]

Leaving the parking lot the Apple said turn right and showed turning left. When he left the planned route the Apple showed turning right several times before it made up its mind to turn left. Apple looks better but Google is faster and more accurate.

[@Slitherman025]

i like the presentation of the street signs on iOS and it recalculated first a few times, other than that google maps is obviously better give all the years they collected data and worked on their maps, iOS maps is still in BETA itll get there one day, but for the time being its is good considering how young it is, Google maps was also a mess back when it first launched.

[@haydenGwells]

Very interesting video and well thought out

[@StevenScarn94]

The voice and U.I on iOS is better. Do these apps do real time updates on traffic accidents,etc..?

[@Astralwurksdk]

Nokia Maps and Nokia GPS on the Lumia blows both of these away. Nokia owns Navteq and has been in the GPS business since before the iPhone even came out.

[@DamonArizona]

Please, do more of these!

[@MrDnlyong]

You have to wait for a green light for so long? That time, we get 3 green lights in that time. In Singapore.

[@bplewis24]

I know Anand says that the street callouts (i.e. icons) are better on iOS, but I disagree. Having the larger, colored signs seems more obtrusive to me. Especially while driving, I prefer information to NOT clutter the screen when I'm looking over at it quickly to see where the next turn is (or whatever).

[@hugochka]

Great comparison! Thank you

[@realvaughnfelix]

iOs 6 Rocks the house, always works perfect for me too!!!

[@808jspekeg6]

Because everybody loves the grumpy robotic sound of siri!

[@mrcrcdra]

And that is why ur comment is full of thumbs, thanks man never would have known why google did that ;)

[@CliftonPhotographer]

I noticed at 2:55 Apple was showing a blue line to the LEFT,but the turn is to the right on East Glenn St. That would screw up anyone watching but NOT listening to the directions. I liked the look of the Apple a little more than the Android. I notice the distances from each point varied. Which one is more accurate?? I like that Android showed the image of the destination,while Apple did not. I also like the Android voice a lot more,as it seemed more human,while Apple still sounds like a robot.

[@HaloHamstur]

Its not about how they work it is the layout.

[@moisushi96]

hmm...if I am not wrong, look closely at the reflections of the phone, you can see the video was taken using a Nokia Pureview 808. Why not compare Nokia Maps, Google Maps and Apple Maps?

[@whcchief]

I have a galaxy note and use GPS every day for my job and find google maps navigation always takes me the long way or tries to base the route on traffic which is very rarely up to date. We could see this at the start of the navigating here, it went to go the way the driver said he normally wouldn't...quite frustrating sometimes.

[@city8742]

I use google map navigation for first time, and I lost my self. Like you said on beginning of video, google maps it's chatty. Also it tells you go left after 300 meters, and after 300 meters it just tells you "turn left" and if you are on last right track, then you can't make it to turn left.. Also it tells you every time name of street. If you are in new street you don't know what is name of street anyway. Mybe in america you can read name of street, but it is not visible in my country. It should tell you just in 300 meter turn left, and when you go 20 meters before turning left, it should tell you after 20 meters turn left and then to say just "turn left"..

[@iosoniosonmanuel]

You forgot to add a Lumia, it would have been cool to have it and use it offline(Lumias are the only phones with free worldwide offline navigation, and they work beautifully)

[@Keeping-It-Real-55]

Google maps is superior!!! I do like how Apple Prounces the Street names much easier to see.

[@davidkerr7]

they both suck at navigation. both dont show speed. no offline maps support/ offline maps still need data connection for navigation. and they dont have a hands free option. they need to add more voice command options.

[@Keeping-It-Real-55]

+David Kerr There is now Android Auto and Apple Car for Hands Free. There is still no Speed listed on the headunit. But you do have a speedometer at least. With google maps you can download a map while at home, and use it in offline mode while driving. There are still some cool things about Tom-Toms and others. But I prefer the up to date maps of google maps vs the blings and whistles.

[@clivervargas]

I’m getting my AT&T for tomorrow to test google maps

And btw, Apple didn't made their maps from scratch. It was a partnership with TomTom.

[@RobloxSportsNetwork-b5i]

That Old. Vids 😢😢

[@mutoneon]

This would be a much better demo if there weren't so much traffic. Try again at night, perhaps?

[@Tegeril]

The iOS 6 nav is fantastic.

[@sayberpat1]

the battery life for the htc phone is generally actually longer then that of the iphone 4s

[@BrianHealy]

Google maps gives you more information and is faster. Not to mention Apples version does not give you traffic information.

[@noanykey]

Notice how accurate Google maps is in relation to side streets. Look outside the car and at Google maps, they seem to be extremely accurate. When it comes to apple the street that he passes appears to be 100 meters or so in front.

[@SunshineVocals]

searedlamb I was thinking he's driving that much how can Apple maps be right with saying only 15 ft while Google says 100ft.

[@sloanstudios]

Happy to be using Android. When I enter into a large city with intense traffic and pedestrians I want something that is well tested and reliable. I have never gotten bad directions from Google and it always re-routs almost instantly. As for iOS I would have to wait for it to be tested for some time before relying on it.

[@keenkennyny]

Both of the voices are very robotic but Siri's voice sounds a lot smoother while Google's sounds a lot more harsher and chattier. From my experience with Apple Maps (I'm in Buffalo, just going from simple point a to point) it's been as good as maps. From the critisims I've heard where some bad sattelite images, and not all buildings are rendered in 3d. First off, who uses satellite? Especially if you're driving, I never used it even when I had Google maps. And as far as 3d, it's a gimmick...

[@drlove891]

Thx for the video. Really helpful.

[@stan3474]

It is old, now Gmap is far superior to Apple, and when drving there is Waze (from Google toi)

[@SouravBagchigoogleplus]

Why people use Apple Maps? Outside US and UK Apple Maps never provide correct data

[@xxxamilcarxxx534]

may people who use it live in usa or uk lol

[@kznet2003]

should put the pureview as a comparison too.

[@MANG0MAN1214]

it wasn't a stop light, it's a warning light to remind you to stop, i think.

[@sayberpat1]

in certain areas it works but in others it will have the wrong maps and be VERY inaccurate

[@DAVIDSDIEGO]

Nice comparison! I guess I'll be staying with iOS 5 since I really have enjoyed Google Street View...

[@Astralwurksdk]

Um dude, YOU need the Darwin award. He has everything hooked up so that it's all HANDS OFF so he can focus on driving 100% just like you would with a REAL GPS. How is what he's doing dangerous?

[@Jshulman1995]

I know ios map lack content but boy is it a beautiful experience especially 3d turn by turn.

[@themcchannel165]

Both Win:Google Maps does traffic and move the map.Apple Maps you can make your map 3D for destaion and says START on any road you are on when you started your navigation AND its not so chatty

[@StatsMass]

um okay wouldn't you do that before purchasing anything? like a house, a car, a computer, etc...

[@NikolasSkoufis]

Also, the first time I used navigation and it popped up a street view shot of the destination when I got there -> mine = blown.

[@HHernandez93]

not only that, but is also as smart as the typical fanboy.

[@Ysbriel]

they do have stuff to imprive but ive seen some video of google maps also having some melting images, not so exagerated as apples but its a fault done by the 3d rendering, and i guess since google has been a long time in that game it has fixed them a lot, but hey i hope they get all the negtive feedback and work with their flaws

[@aminul1984]

I don't really understand how these tests will find out which sat nav is better if you are following one nav on the road. It will be better to have two cars with the different navs being tested and see which car goes to the destination the fastest.

[@573W1E6R1FF1N]

Your car sounds so good at 15:59 :D

[@dandenicola]

Visually, iPhone's navigation is nicer and "cleaner". And Siri's voice sounds a little more robotic, but Android's seems to rush its sentences and you may not catch what it says if you're not carefully paying attention. But this is mostly opinion based.

[@enos128]

I am pretty sure iOS was lagging. :) My Droid RAZR is never ahead. I know iOS is in Beta but hopefully they get that lag fixed.

[@khodges2]

Clearly the iOS maps is better but it could take a few characteristics from the google maps. As well notice he has the droid plugged in because the battery would be dead by the end of this demo.

[@PriyankBaruah]

thnx for the video !!