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Google maps is ok at a pinch, but it uses data, OSM downloads the maps beforehand
Google Maps allows you to download maps for offline use. If I'm going somewhere where I think mobile signal might be poor I download the area as a backup.
jellybaby-
RWGPS downloads for offline routing and OSMAnd can download whole countries and has the ability to search for stuff. Much more useful than an offline google map.
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Yes, but (as Hippy says) offline google maps is OK but you can't rely on it for large areas as it is too fiddly to download all the bits you'd need.
For bike navigation you really need to have offline maps as you might not always have a data signal and will want to save your battery (and your data allowance). BikeComputer, the one I use, has this, as do RWGPS and OSMAnd. They can all do routing offline, should I need it. Cyclemeter doesn't have offline maps (it uses Google maps), hence I only use it for intervals, not navigation.
hippy
frank9755
I went for about a year thinking that Garmin and Wahoo were the new Polaroid. I used a phone (a cheap ruggedised / waterproof one) for all my riding, including multi-day rides and wet rides.
But, eventually, I had a phone that got killed by a really wet ride in Wales and I had to go back to Garmin.
Answer to both questions depends.
Do you ride a lot in the rain? I've done wet rides with a phone and it's been fine, but it's suboptimal and you have to give the phone a bit more attention.
Phones use more power, but you can carry a powerbank or two and then it isn't a problem.
The apps available are better IMHO than Garmin / Wahoo because the map is much bigger and clearer and they let you have loads of data screens on show.
They are not quite as good in really strong sunlight, and don't leave them in the sun when you are stationary - I had a phone shut down from overheating once.
The apps I used (actually still use) were
BikeComputer (Pro version, costs about £5 one-off) for navigation and route logging.
CycleMeter (costs £10 per year for premium version) for intervals / training. The data screen it gives you is way better than Garmin.
If you don't want to use a power meter, then there are a lot more options.
If you subscribe to RWGPS their app is a good alternative to BikeComputer for the daytime but, for some reason I can't fathom, they don't have a dark screen, so it is crazy bright at night.
OSMAnd is good for on-bike navigation, no power, heart rate, etc. Google maps is ok at a pinch, but it uses data, OSM downloads the maps beforehand.
Leaving your screen on hits your battery; what the apps do other than that doesn't make much difference. Don't have the screen brighter than you need and put it into flight mode. I used to get about 4-5 hours without using a power bank.