Google Maps New Power Saving Mode: Is it Truly Exclusive to Pixel 10?

A Pixel 10 exclusive for now, this Google Maps Power Saving Mode may not hit your device until the Android 17 update arrives.

Pixel 10 Google Maps Power Saving Mode uses dark monochrome navigation. Image: Google

The November Pixel Drop 2025 has just landed, bringing plenty of features to Pixel devices. But one addition has already stole the show: the new Power Saving Mode in Google Maps.

Have you ever been traveling at night on an exciting tour with your well-known and accurate tour guide—Google Maps—only to run out of mobile battery due to extensive full brightness during the day? Good news for you: Google has brought up a vital feature to Maps that will help you easily complete your trip without the fear of a mobile shutdown.

As this feature is so user-centric, Pixel owners are excitedly trying to find out: Is it available to all Pixel devices, just the Pixel 10 series, or is it just a slow rollout?

The short answer is: Yes, it is currently exclusive to the Pixel 10 lineup.

However, your curiosity about when this feature will be on your side is valid. But this time, it is more than a strategic move; there is a technical hurdle avoiding the update for older Pixel devices.

What is Google Maps Power Saving Mode?

Although it sounds familiar to the built-in Android Battery Saver, it is not that simple. This isn’t a system-wide setting that limits background apps. It is a specific viewing mode built directly into the Google Maps navigation interface.

When you activate this new battery mode, Google Maps will transform your lock screen into a simplified, monochrome dashboard. Behind the scenes, Maps strips away the data-heavy and power-hungry elements of the interface.

What information is shown? The image shared by Google suggests that you will see only the essentials:

• Next turn arrows.
• Estimated arrival time (ETA).
• A black-and-white, low-refresh-rate map layer.

This sounds like default behavior when the name "power saving mode" comes to mind. As the main purpose is to help you reach your location rather than showing colorful landmarks, traffic heatmaps, and current speed indicators, Google claims this will extend your battery life by up to 4 hours.

Why Is It Exclusive to Pixel 10? (The Technical "Why")

The tech world always sees a pattern where new features are first received by premium devices before older ones. Although this strategy isn't fully removed from this case, there is a legitimate technical hurdle involving a feature likely coming in Android 17, internally dubbed "AOD Min Mode" (Always-On Display Minimal Mode).

The Pixel 10 series (including the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold) appears to be running an early implementation of this technology.

1. AOD Min Mode

This feature allows specific apps to take over the Always-On Display (AOD) area with a live, interactive, but low-power interface. Unlike standard AOD widgets which are static, this allows for real-time turn-by-turn updates without waking the main application processor or lighting up the full display panel at 60Hz or 120Hz.

2. Hardware Optimization

The Pixel 10's display controller and processor (Tensor G5) are likely optimized to handle this specific "sleep state" transition more efficiently than older hardware. While older OLED panels can technically display black pixels to save power, the software pipeline to send live navigation data to that screen state without waking the rest of the phone is a new development.

How to Use Power Saving Mode (If You Have a Pixel 10)

If you are rocking a Pixel 10, the feature might be turned on by default, but it is somewhat hidden.

To Enable It:

1. Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture.
2. Go to Settings > Navigation.
3. Scroll down to Driving options.
4. Toggle Power saving mode to ON.

To Activate It:

This is the part that trips people up—it doesn't just "happen."

• Start your driving navigation as usual.
• Press your power button to lock the screen.
• Instead of a black screen or your usual lock screen clock, you will see the new monochrome map.

Current Limitations:

• Portrait Only: It does not currently work in landscape mode.
• Driving Only: It is not available for walking, cycling, or transit navigation yet.

Will It Come to Older Pixels?

Although there is no official confirmation of whether Google will transfer this feature to older devices like the Pixel 8 or Pixel 9, it is most likely this feature will not come to your device before the next big Android 17 update due to the AOD Min feature.

However, there is a huge possibility that your older devices will not get the same battery saving performance like the Pixel 10 series has, due to its latest hardware and software optimizations.

Image: Google