Recs.
Updated
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro It can link to Google Streetview to give archived photos of populated areas
Pro Updated constantly
Nearby my house, there is major road construction in progress. Apple maps didn’t show this at all, but google maps did. There was also a new, small road that was finished around 3 days ago. Google maps shows this road. Apple maps still hasn’t shown the major construction.
Pro Best execution of save location feature
Recent updates have made it so you can label a place instead of being stuck with some address or GPS coordinate and forgetting what it represents. Saved places show as stars and are all on one layer as long as you're logged in. There is also the ability to create maps (parallel to groups) for things you might not want to see or have show up all the time whenever you're using google maps from day to day.
This feature is highly helpful for planning, even if you're a person who likes to wing it.
Cons
Con Limited offline navigation support
Offline access has been updated to include search and driving directions in areas that have been downloaded for offline access. However, transit and walking directions are unavailable. The biggest size for any single offline area is 120,000 square kilometers, however, multiple areas can be saved. Offline access isn't available in some regions, however.
Con Very patchy maps in South America
For some reason Google maps are terrible in South America - much worse than OSM maps. Trying to navigate in Argentina from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, it does not work that well. The logical route would be RN7 all the way but Google has gaps in it so it suggests long detours - which aren't necessary.
Con Maps saved offline can easily wipe your bandwidth cap via auto update
Google Maps offline maps update automatically in the background. Not a problem if you're using a sim card in your phone, but if you connect to a pre-paid hotspot that the phone recognizes and connects to as a wifi device you risk burning through your data allotment. The offline maps can be set to update manually, but this is not default behavior.
Con Saved locations needs online connection and has no visible label
Two negatives about this feature is you have to be online to be able to save a place, but it is stored off line once google map gets on the net and syncs. The other negative is there is no visible label for saved places, you have to click on stars to see the label for them.
Con Tricky language support
It's not immediately apparent how to change the language of the maps (of if this is even possible). Thus, it can be troubling/useless if the maps are in the local script (e.g. Korean) and the directions or address someone is looking for is provided in romanized words (or vice versa).
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Pro Offline navigation support
If you're going where the Internet is slow, mobile data is expensive, or you can't get online, you can save an area from Google Maps to your phone or tablet and use it when you're offline.