Google Maps goes on a diet as Pixel 10 gets bare-bones navigation mode

Google Maps is rolling out a dedicated “Power Saving mode” for its latest phones, the Pixel 10 series. Just two weeks after teasing it in a Feature Drop, the update is now hitting the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and the foldable 10 Pro Fold.

Think of it as a “lite” mode for your drive. When you are navigating and tap the power button to turn off your screen, instead of the phone locking or staying fully lit, it switches to a super-minimal, black-and-white interface.

Minimalist navigation view cuts visuals to save power

It strips away almost everything that eats battery. The colorful map layers? Gone. The floating search buttons and route overview? Gone. Even the little Gemini/Assistant button and current speed indicator disappear. You are left with just the essentials: a simple black background, a white line for your route, and the next turn instruction at the top.

Despite the stripped-back look, it’s not dumbed down. You can still swipe down to see your notifications, and if you need the full map back, just tap the screen anywhere. It also smartly turns itself off the moment you arrive at your destination.

Google claims this simple change can squeeze out up to four hours of extra battery life during a drive, which is a massive claim.

Why does it matter

Let’s be honest: navigation is a battery killer. Between the GPS pinging satellites, the data connection downloading maps, and the screen blazing at 100% brightness, a two-hour drive can wreck your phone’s charge.

This is Google finally addressing that “range anxiety” for your phone. If you are on a road trip, driving for a ride-share service, or just forgot your car charger, this mode could be a lifesaver. For owners of the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold, this is especially huge since that massive inner screen loves to guzzle power.

There are a few catches, though. It only works in portrait mode (sorry to the landscape drivers), and it’s strictly for driving right now – no walking or cycling support yet. It’s on by default, but if you hate it, you can toggle it off in the Navigation settings.

Right now, this is a Pixel 10 exclusive. But if it works as well as Google says, we can hope it brings this to older Pixels or even other Android phones soon. It’s a smart way for Google to finally clap back at Apple Maps, which has historically been a bit gentler on battery life thanks to its native integration.