Samsung’s new driving mode does one thing I want Google Maps would

The sensors on your Galaxy phone have at all times been able to monitoring the way you drive. But till now, it was one thing solely insurance coverage apps used. With One UI 9, although, Samsung has introduced the same function for private use.

It’s known as Driving Report and the quick model is that it tells you about your driving habits. I’ve been utilizing it for a couple of weeks, and it actually looks like one thing Google Maps ought to’ve supplied all alongside.

One UI 9 brings correct driving reviews

Your telephone can now take notes when you drive

One UI 9 brings Driving Report, and it does precisely what the title suggests. It retains monitor of your driving habits and offers you a report on the finish of every journey. This function is not turned on by default, however when you allow it, it kicks in each time you join your telephone to your automobile through Bluetooth. It doesn’t want Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, so it’s going to work with nearly any automobile.

It tracks issues like the precise route of your journey with timestamps, whole distance, time, and common velocity. The attention-grabbing half is that it additionally displays the way you really drive your automobile. It depends on the sensors in your Galaxy telephone to examine for speedy acceleration or sudden deceleration, sharp turns, and even what number of occasions you used your telephone through the journey.

At the tip of your drive, you get a notification in regards to the report that features all these particulars. You can even examine them later if you would like, and there’s a mixed weekly report that features all the main points about your current journeys.

Obviously, this isn’t one thing everybody will care about, however should you’re a nerd who loves seeing all these driving stats, this delivers. It’s additionally useful should you’ve simply realized to drive as a result of it might probably inform you the place you went fallacious. It works mechanically within the background, so that you don’t even must allow it manually each time.

Review my driving habits after each journey

Every drive will get a report card

As I stated earlier, earlier than you may see your driving reviews, you first must allow the function. To try this, head to Settings > Connected units > Driving report and observe the prompts to permit the mandatory permissions.

Once you’re accomplished, faucet the three-dot icon on the high and select Settings. Tap Vehicles and allow the toggle subsequent to your automobile. If it’s not on the record, faucet plus within the high proper nook to pair your automobile through Bluetooth first. In the identical Settings menu, you’ll additionally see the Locations choice, the place you may add areas to your residence, work, and different locations you go to often to get insights about these locations.

After that, merely drive, and also you’ll see your journey historical past and weekly driving report contained in the Driving Report menu. Open any journey to see the date, time, distance, and the precise route you took on the map. Tap on the map, and it’ll present you a color-coded line alongside your route. The areas with speedy acceleration, sudden deceleration, sharp turns, and speeds beneath 12.5 mph will probably be highlighted right here.

The driving report may also present you a chart on the backside that reveals your driving speeds over time. The good factor right here is you could simply erase a selected journey if you would like.

The weekly driving report rolls all the pieces right into a single abstract for a fast overview. It retains previous journeys, so you may return in time to see your earlier reviews.

Let’s discuss privateness

Is there a catch?

I’ve been utilizing Driving Report on my Galaxy S26 for the reason that One UI 9 beta, and I discover it fairly helpful. But I additionally know that not everybody goes to really feel the identical manner. The greatest catch right here is that it wants location entry on a regular basis, not simply when you’re actively driving. That’s a troublesome promote from a privateness standpoint, and it might probably additionally cause your Galaxy phone’s battery to drain faster.

The different downside is all the info it collects. Since all of your driving habits is tied to your Samsung account, it’s a little bit of a privateness situation. Samsung hasn’t made it clear whether or not any of this ever leaves your account or will get shared with third events, insurance coverage firms specifically. So sure, solely time will inform.

This is the type of function Google Maps wants

Driving report is actually helpful, however because it’s unique to Galaxy telephones, I sadly can’t use it any time I’m utilizing my Pixel or iPhone. When I first tried it, it felt like one thing Google ought to’ve constructed for Maps. I imply, it’s already midway there with the Timeline function, so it solely wants so as to add driving stats on high.