Apple’s Apple Maps app has long struggled with updates to its Detailed City Experience (DCE), leaving many iPhone users sticking with Google Maps for their navigation needs. The DCE feature, which includes 3D maps, crosswalks, sidewalks, medians, and more, has been slowly expanding to cities outside of the U.S. Recently, Stockholm, Sweden, became the latest city to receive this upgrade, adding 17 buildings in 3D with highly detailed features like sidewalks, trees, and crosswalks.
Interestingly, Apple hasn’t officially announced the selection of Stockholm for this update, and it has remained quiet about future DCE rollouts to other cities. In fact, many observers expected Italy to be the next European city to receive the treatment, making Stockholm’s selection a bit of a surprise.
The slow pace of the DCE expansion, combined with Apple’s lack of transparency on the rollout schedule, has led some iPhone users to continue relying on Google Maps for their navigation needs, even in the long term. As Apple keeps its plans for the Maps app under wraps—true to its typical strategy users who value frequent updates may feel compelled to stay with their current mapping solutions.
However, for those willing to give Apple Maps another shot, they may be pleasantly surprised. The app has made significant strides in improving turn-by-turn directions, offering clear instructions that include helpful landmarks. For example, users might now hear, “At the next traffic light, turn left,” making it easier to navigate and plan turns ahead. This improvement is so well executed that Google Maps has adopted a similar feature.
Moreover, Apple Maps has now expanded its reach beyond iOS users. It is now accessible through mobile browsers on Android devices, allowing users to take advantage of the app’s features even if they don’t own an iPhone. While the experience may not be as smooth as the native iOS app, it still provides a solid, reliable navigation tool for Android users looking for an alternative to Google Maps.
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