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But you can't set Google Maps as the default map application or Chrome as the default browser. In fact, Chrome is basically only a nice wrapper around Safaris engine.

Chrome on IOS uses Webkit, it's basically a skin over Apple's outdated browser engine that crashes frequently. This is due to Apple Store restrictions, not technical reasons.

I've been an Android user, but currently using an iPhone 6s received as gift.

You can get Google's apps, but isn't the same thing. Their apps are a lot more polished on Android. In particular for Gmail the difference has been night and day. On iPhone I don't even bother with Gmail, I just use the default email app.

And in fact the new Maps shipped first on iOS.