Survey: What’s Powering Your Contributions in 2026?

Google Maps tips & tricks
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Caption: A Gemini generated graphic that captures the diverse "camera kit" of a Local Guide!
Caption: A Gemini generated graphic that captures the diverse "camera kit" of a Local Guide!1024×1024 207 KB

Caption: A Gemini generated graphic that captures the diverse “camera kit” of a Local Guide!


Hello and Happy New Year fellow Local Guides!

We all know the best camera is the one you have with you, and for most of us, that’s the smartphone tucked in our pockets. Whether you’re capturing a hidden street-art gem, a steaming plate of local delicacies, or a panoramic view of a new hiking trail, your gear plays a huge role in how you share the world on Google Maps.

Well while reading the comments on the December, 2025 Top 100 Google Maps Local Guides Photos post where @WilfriedB mentions that he sports the telephoto lens capable Galaxy S24 FE, @tony_b recently upgraded from an A8 to Samsung A56, and @JustJake on a Pixel, got me thinking.

As we kick off 2026, I’m curious to see what the “Connect Community” is using to shoot their contributions. Are you rocking the latest flagship with AI-powered editing? Are you a dedicated fan of a specific brand’s color science? Or perhaps you’re part of the “Purist” crowd still carrying a DSLR or mirrorless camera for those high-res hero shots?

Survey: What’s Powering Your Contributions in 2026?
  • Samsung Galaxy S Series (S24, S25, S26 Ultra/FE)
  • Samsung Galaxy A Series (A50, A54, A55, A56)
  • Google Pixel (9 Pro, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL)
  • Google Pixel “a” Series (7a, 8a, 9a)
  • Apple iPhone (15, 16, 17 Pro/Max)
  • Apple iPhone (Standard or SE models)
  • Dedicated Camera (DSLR, Mirrorless, or Compact)
  • Other (Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, etc. - Tell us in the comments!)
0 voters

The 2026 Local Guide Gear Guide

While we wait for the results, here is a quick look at why some of these models are currently dominating the “real world” of mapping:

Feature Samsung S25 Ultra Google Pixel 10 Pro iPhone 17 Pro Max Samsung S24 FE
Best For The “Zoom King” The “AI Specialist” The “Video Pro” The “Value Choice”
Main Camera 200MP (Ultra Detail) 50MP (Natural HDR) 48MP (Consistent) 50MP (Solid All-rounder)
Tele-lens 5x Optical (100x Zoom) 5x Optical (AI Pro Res) 8x Optical (New record) 3x Optical (Classic)
Brightness 3100+ nits (Sunlight) 3000 nits (Great) 2800+ nits (Great) 1900 nits (Good)

Why the “Tele-lens” matters: Whether it’s the 8x on the new iPhone or the AI-enhanced zoom on the Pixel 10, telephoto lenses allow us to capture far-away landmarks and signage without losing detail. It’s the “secret sauce” for those majestic hero shots!

Pro-Checklist: Is Your Phone “Maps Ready”?

Before your next photo-walk, run through these quick steps:

  • Clean Your Lenses: A quick wipe removes pocket lint and fingerprints!
  • Enable Grid Lines: Keep your horizons straight and your architecture professional.
  • Check Location Tags: Ensure Settings > Location Tags is ON so Google Maps knows exactly where your shot belongs.
  • Master the Exposure Slider: Tap the screen and slide the “sun” icon down to keep cozy restaurant lighting looking natural.

Caption: A 60-second Camera Checklist
Caption: A 60-second Camera Checklist1024×1024 196 KB

Caption: A 60-second Camera Checklist

To finish off, in the comments do let us know:

  • What is the ONE feature you can’t live without? (e.g., Ultra-wide lens, Night Mode, Macro?)
  • I see a few people still using older models like the Samsung A50—what is it about that phone that keeps it in your pocket?
  • Do you use any external gear like tripods or clip-on lenses?

I can’t wait to see the results and discover which devices are going to be mapping the world this year!

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Just completed the survey. @AdamGT I enjoy contributing because it keeps me discovering new places and helping others explore with confidence. I use a Pixel 10 Pro XL for my photos and rankings, and it’s been great for capturing details on the go.

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A Pixel 10 Pro XL @NareshDarji? You’re all set for some star shots in 2026. Is there one feature on the 10 Pro XL that you can’t live without?

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Ultra-wide is super helpful when shooting storefronts. Using it has saved me multiple times from getting hit by a car. I don’t need to step onto the road to get a sufficiently zoomed-out click.

When shooting at low light, I often find a light pole or something else to lean on to hold the camera perfectly still as the night mode takes a few seconds to complete. But honestly, often a standard photo on my Pixel 7a will look better.

Happy New Year!

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Ich habe ein Pixel 9 und bin sehr zufrieden damit. @AdamGT
Ich mag das Fotografieren unkompliziert und bin froh, wenn ich nicht groß irgendwelche Einstellungen vornehmen muss.

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Hi @AdamGT this is an interesting topic, and I would like to know myself aswell that which device is mostly used these days to capture photos.

Myself I look at it from a different perspective, it would be great to get the best camera or smartphone to take photos as you probably have high chances of getting high quality results or photos with minimal work, there is alsmost little that you have to do to enhense the photo since the added features on the device itself will do most of the work such as AI, for you to do is to get the best angle, desired orientation according to what you want to achirve, and probably cleaning of your lens before the shoot.

Just a question, cleaning of lens frequently is’nt going to damage your lens at a later stage, I know it has to be clean but, how can we do it safely?

Buying an expensive gear or phone could be a problem sometimes due to financial reasons, unless yu have a budget to spend.

Focusing on doing it manualy if you have an entry level camera, I guess would still make the cut, you just have to do more work to enhense the photo, such as editing each photo after shooting before upload, which will result in delay of output.

What do you think……any input..

Cheers!

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I prefer pictures I took with note20 ultra than s25 ultra :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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A great survey @AdamGT! But why don’t you allow multiple responses?

When I want to make good photos and it is not too inconvenient to carry a photo bag, I certainly prefer my DSLR (Sony ILCA-77M2), for food photos it is easier to use a smartphone which most likely will be the Galaxy S24 FE from now on, but occasionally also still the A50. For the interior of restaurants, I did choose mostly the DSLR in the past, but that can change with S24 now, because of better quality photos.

Only when I am lazy to carry the big camera, it might be also the S24 FE which was the case when I made the featured photo.

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Still love the photos iPhone 13 Pro MAX captures, The RAW quality of photos are just amazing, Looking forward to be a active contributor this year.

10

Thanks @AdamGT Ji for this Survey Post

I normally use my camera phone,But On Meetups and Travelling I use My Ricoh Theta V and insta 360 X4 Camera.

For Microphotography I use the Apexel Lenses which we can put on our mobile Camera.

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Interesting topic! I feel so narrow-minded only/always using my mobile phone - which has always a Pixel. Reflecting on why, probably because I’m out-and-about and snapping pictures with my phone. Then contributing to Maps is seamless. I don’t really submit reviews from my laptop/desktop. (Might have to broaden my horizons!)

I didn’t think there’s a single feature I can’t live without, I use several Pixel features. Ultra zoom when I was to get a clear picture of something in the distance. Ultra wide when I can’t get back far enough, like a storefront. Video boost always to get the clearest videos!

Looking forward to learning from others in this post!

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I still enjoy the top of the line Samsung and I mostly use the ultra wide lens to take storefront photos. However the 100x zoom on the ultra s25 is quite nice. You can actually take a photo of the surface of the moon.lol

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Interesting survey results so far. Now this confirms my often repeated statement that some LGs are photographers posting on Maps, while others are simply Maps users who’ve been prompted by Google to post photos.

I’ve never owned a dedicated camera, so my equipment is just whatever smartphone I possess. As I don’t regularly upgrade my phone to be modern, my devices are used for a number of years until they become inefficient or the installed apps become incompatible. I expect to be stuck with the Samsung A56 for a few more years.

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I find this survey to be quite interesting @AdamGT. I use my iPhone 13 for all my photo contributions, and sometimes I edit them before posting on Google Maps. I don’t use any extra gear. A big thank you to @MortenCopenhagen for the helpful tips—I’ve been excited to see many of my recent photos get featured on Google Maps.

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@AdamGT . Just completed the survey. I use my DSLR Nikon and Samsung S24 ultra. Being purist, i do not use any editing tool prefering to keep pics pristine

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You might be surprised now @tony_b, the same is true here. Until 5 weeks ago or so, I had a 10 year old A5 and the 6 year old A50. Both were still working, but the battery of the A5 less than an hour and the A50 less than 8 hours and during travel I re-charged while having lunch. Many apps were not supported on A5 anymore and some very few on the A50 neither. I was able to handle it and didn’t want to spend money for a new one.

In November 2025, the A5 totally quit working, so I lost my emergency backup. Only that triggered me to look for a new one. Only at that point, I searched for a phone with a dedicated telelens and found the S24 FE as a “budged version” of the high end Galaxy.

To be honest, I am convinced the photos I post on Maps could be easily done with the A50 for a long time and even more with your A56. This alos explains @AdamGT’s question

The short answer is: Money. I didn’t see a reason to spend money for a new phone until my - even older - emergency backup failed.

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#TeamPixel all the way, @AdamGT. The AI features, the image quality, and the fact you can get amazing shots from the Pro down to the ‘a’ series keeps me coming back. I love the night-sight processing for photos and video, though.

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This is an Interesting post @AdamGT I am actually jealous of the new phones on the market. I am still using my budget friendly Samsung A13 and editing all in Google photos.

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Hi @AdamGT and Happy New Year to the Connect family!

It is fascinating to see how the tools of our trade have evolved as we step into 2026. To answer your survey, I am currently navigating the world with a Motorola (Android 15).

I bid farewell to my faithful Samsung Note—which had reached its limit with Android 10—driven by professional imperatives rather than just preference. My current device, a Motorola ThinkPhone, was a corporate selection: in my line of work, staying ahead with strict security protocols and high-performance efficiency is non-negotiable, necessitating the periodic rotation of hardware to ensure a secure and powerful mobile office.

My philosophy has always been simple: I have lived through the evolution from a trusty dedicated digital camera to the smartphone, and I’ve learned that photography is not about megapixels, but about moments.

For me, the smartphone is the ultimate effortless tool. It is the discreet companion that is always there when the unexpected happens. The most iconic photos are often the ones caught without preparation. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence.

A vivid example of this comes to mind: I captured some time ago this candid shot of three cardinals in the portico right before the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica. It was a fleeting interaction—a splash of color and history—that would have been missed had I needed to set up a “pro” camera.

Three cardinals in the portico just before the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica.
Three cardinals in the portico just before the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica.843×843 162 KB

While I agree that AI is becoming an essential digital darkroom assistant—helping us “clean” images and elevate quality instantly—and that telephoto lenses are fantastic for details, my heart belongs to the wide lens.

I love offering a comprehensive view of a location. Take St. Peter’s Square, for instance. To truly convey the magnitude of a space capable of holding 300,000 people (considering the square and the surrounding colonnade), you need that wide angle to capture the embrace of the architecture.

Regarding your Pro-Checklist, those are four pillars of great mobile photography. I would suggest adding these two to round out the advice:

  • Change Your Perspective: Don’t just shoot from eye level. Crouch low for a dominant architectural look or find a high vantage point. A shift in angle changes the story completely.
  • Look for “Scale” References: When shooting vast landscapes or huge buildings, try to include a person or a recognizable object in the frame. It helps the viewer subconsciously understand the true size of the subject.

To answer your closing questions:

What is the ONE feature you can’t live without? As mentioned, definitely the wide lens. While zoom captures the subject, the wide-angle captures the context. It allows me to tell the “whole story” of a place in a single frame, which is crucial for a Local Guide trying to show what it feels like to actually stand there.

Why do people stick with older models like the A50? I believe it comes down to “Muscle Memory” and Trust. When you know exactly how your sensor reacts to light, and your thumb knows exactly where the shutter is without looking, the device becomes an extension of your hand. That familiarity allows you to focus 100% on the scene rather than the settings. If it still tells the story, it’s not obsolete.

Do you use any external gear? Very rarely. I am a purist in the sense that I want my setup to be invisible. I rely on steady hands and breath control (the old sniper trick!) rather than tripods. If the gear gets in the way of the experience, I leave it behind.

Here’s to a 2026 filled with clear lenses and captured memories!

Greetings from Rome, Italy
Alex (@AT_Rome)

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I hear you @MortenCopenhagen.

Happy New Year!