What is GPS / GNSS positioning?
GPS / GNSS positioning is the technology that lets your phone know its location on the map to guide you while navigating.
GPS is an American system, while GNSS is the general term for all satellite navigation systems, including American GPS, Russian GLONASS, European Galileo, and Chinese BeiDou. A modern phone supports more than one system, which improves location accuracy and speeds up signal lock.
In daily use, the difference shows when you open maps or ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem, or track a workout. Good accuracy means your location appears on the correct street, not the next one over, and you wait less time for the phone to find your position.
When buying, look for multi-constellation GNSS support (GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou) for the best accuracy in dense cities. Most modern phones support this, but budget phones may only include two systems. You don’t need complicated numbers; just check the specs and confirm dual-band support (L1 + L5) if you want higher accuracy in challenging areas.