GNSS Vs GPS: What's The Difference?

Most modern smartphones use GNSS, or Global Navigation Satellite System, which is a broad term that includes GPS, or the United States' satellite navigation system, as well as other satellite navigation systems.

The key difference between GNSS and GPS is that GNSS is a more comprehensive term that encompasses multiple satellite constellations, including Russia's GLONASS, the European Union's Galileo, India's NavIC, and China's BeiDou.

Other major GNSS constellations include Japan's QZSS, which supplements navigation systems in its region.

The iPhone 17, for example, lists support for multiple GNSS constellations, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, NavIC, and BeiDou.

Android's Location Accuracy service also uses a mix of satellite data, nearby Wi-Fi networks, cell phone towers, and built-in motion sensors to provide more accurate location information.

Google Maps uses GPS or other GNSS systems, along with location info available on the user's phone, to provide location services.

## Why it matters The use of GNSS instead of just GPS means that smartphones can access multiple satellite constellations, resulting in more reliable positioning, especially in areas where buildings, trees, and terrain can block satellite signals. This is because GNSS can provide a more comprehensive view of the user's location, using data from multiple satellites and other sources.

As a result, users can expect more accurate location information, even in areas with limited satellite coverage. This is particularly important for applications that rely on precise location data, such as mapping and navigation services.