A new study by Onavo finds that Apple Maps are up to five times more data efficient than Google Maps.
Our data experts performed an identical series of activities on Google Maps and Apple Maps that included searching for several US cities, addresses and airports and zooming in and out to locate specific locations. On Google Maps, the average data loaded from the cellular network for each step was 1.3MB. Apple Maps came in at 271KB – that's approximately 80% less data! On some actions, such as zooming in to see a particular intersection, Apple Maps' efficiency advantage edged close to 7X.
Even in Satellite View, Apple Maps was found to only use half as much data as Google Maps. On average, a single page load used 428KB of data; whereas, a single page load on Google Maps used 930KB of data.
Apple news, rumors, tutorials, price drop alerts, in your inbox every evening, free.
Unsubscribe at any time.
Success!
You have been subscribed.
Add Comment
Would you like to be notified when someone replies or adds a new comment?
Yes (All Threads)
Yes (This Thread Only)
No
Notifications
Would you like to be notified when we post a new Apple news article or tutorial?
Yes
No
Comments (33)
Comments are closed for this article.
0
anuar - October 7, 2012 at 8:02am
no wonder why apple maps consume less data...it has nothing to show...
0
NoGoodNick - October 3, 2012 at 1:48pm
That shows what I keep saying, while Apple Maps may have some "growth problems", it's worth promoting it since we need MORE competition, not less. All we need is for Google to get SO comfortable with their market lead that they never make their products more effecient. Thus I'll support Apple Maps, even if have to also use other apps as backup.
0
Beef - October 3, 2012 at 11:18am
It's correct because Apple map has less information.
0
prince - October 3, 2012 at 10:01am
This is the most bias misleading article yet concerning the new iPhone. Wow some will do anything to make sure the Iphone is number one with everything it does. Better innovation, better screen, better battery, better everything. No other smart phones functionality even comes close!!!
0
ShadowOne - October 3, 2012 at 9:37am
That's not called efficiency. That's called lack of details. Apple's maps are generally less detailed than Google's. Of course, it's going to take less bandwidth.
And don't even talk about those wrong info that it provides. As it stands, it's just a piece of crap no matter how you try to convince people.
0
axel - October 3, 2012 at 7:28am
lies, i used more bandwith with apple maps, fly-over is over-rated, HUGE bandwith to load more 3D picture.
turn-by-turn on 4S doesn't have voice like in the keynote.
what a waste
0
Thejett - October 3, 2012 at 2:28pm
My 4s does turn by turn. Maybe your not using it right... Did you click start?
0
Thejett - October 3, 2012 at 2:29pm
Sorry, it does voice.
0
Guest - October 3, 2012 at 5:57am
ohhh ok well that makes it ok that apple maps are inaccurate... haha thanks einstein! now i am happy... i won't ever find where im looking for and drive in circles, but at least ill have saved data from my unlimited data plan... thanks apple!
0
AJ - October 3, 2012 at 4:31am
Ever think it's 70% more efficient because there is 70% less data?
Try a simple search for Las Vegas Zoo!
According to Apple Maps, it does not exist.
Streets are missing, highways are missing.
I don't care about efficient, what I care about is accuracy.
0
JDavila - October 3, 2012 at 1:20am
The results of loading vector graphics VS image tiles. One step in the right direction.
0
Pedro H - October 3, 2012 at 1:00am
I guess its a matter or time and development for this maps. Compare them with google maps at its early days and you'll see that this maps are going towards the right direction.
2
Anto - October 2, 2012 at 11:23pm
Apple map has only less data to load.. no detail like google map.. so no surprise here.
1
JoshvanHulst - October 2, 2012 at 11:57pm
I can agree with you there
0
gringo - October 3, 2012 at 4:19am
Ditto, my thoughts exactly! You beat me to this.
1
JK - October 2, 2012 at 10:40pm
So what, at least the google one works...
0
DaveB - October 2, 2012 at 10:29pm
Most likely because there is only a fifth of the information available to view.
0
Rich - October 2, 2012 at 10:11pm
How much did apple have to pay for that report! Everyone wants the google maps back for a reason
0
rram - October 2, 2012 at 9:37pm
I used the Apple Maps a few times, and it has been working just fine. Not sure when I am going to have the issue which everyone is seeing.
0
Eric - October 2, 2012 at 9:35pm
Yeah, an Apple Fanboy totally wrote this work of fiction.
0
Marc - October 2, 2012 at 9:33pm
When i search my home place using apple map cannot locate the place.:-(
0
Manuel - October 2, 2012 at 10:32pm
I have the same issue. It won't find some places for driving directions which all other features aside is the most useful part. I can even find it in other apps not just google maps but they don't show up on the apple. I'm sure they'll come up with something kick ass. It is apple after all.
0
PureNrg - October 2, 2012 at 9:31pm
I like Apple, but this article is really ridicules.
0
tdtran1025 - October 2, 2012 at 9:27pm
People are blinded by some sites in which they don't reveal how much bandwidth each site is hogging. I used Apple's maps on the first try and figured this out almost immediately since my ATT 3G coverage and bandwidth are very bad. Apple's brilliance in vectorizing map data, however, is marred by crazy inaccuracy and wackiness of its own invention. What I don't understand is that Apple uses data from TomTom maps and other sources such as OpenStreetMap, so the inherent foundation is robust. I guess it may be the algorithm and/or server side error lead to poor users experiences.
Once this is fixed, which I assume in the very near term, it may well be the most beautiful and useful maps app, if they cut back on reliance of data transmission from cellular operators. I have not checked closely, but the app may already utilize cached data from frequently used map in certain number of square miles, as in within a city.
0
Me - October 3, 2012 at 11:54am
That's how you build a product "from the ground up".. Use someone else's and screw it up
0
Anjum - October 2, 2012 at 9:08pm
Now that's the most diehard fan reporting on apple maps, ridiculous
![Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.4 RC to Developers [Download]](/images/news/100258/100258/100258-160.jpg "Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.4 RC to Developers [Download]")
![AirPods Pro 3 Drop to $199.99 on Amazon ($50 Off) [Deal]](/images/news/100252/100252/100252-160.jpg "AirPods Pro 3 Drop to $199.99 on Amazon ($50 Off) [Deal]")
![AirPods Pro 3 Drop to $209.99 on Amazon ($40 Off) [Deal]](/images/news/100236/100236/100236-160.jpg "AirPods Pro 3 Drop to $209.99 on Amazon ($40 Off) [Deal]")
![Apple AirTag (1st Gen) 4-Pack Falls to $64 on Amazon [Deal]](/images/news/100218/100218/100218-160.jpg "Apple AirTag (1st Gen) 4-Pack Falls to $64 on Amazon [Deal]")
![Apple's New M5 MacBook Air Drops to $1,049 in Early Amazon Sale [Deal]](/images/news/100206/100206/100206-160.jpg "Apple's New M5 MacBook Air Drops to $1,049 in Early Amazon Sale [Deal]")
![Apple's New M4 iPad Air is Already on Sale for $559 Ahead of Launch [Deal]](/images/news/100174/100174/100174-160.jpg "Apple's New M4 iPad Air is Already on Sale for $559 Ahead of Launch [Deal]")
