I had Google maps on my Nokia SymbianOS phone before the iPhone was released. It worked just as well as modern version but was I little clunkier to use without a touchscreen. I’m pretty sure that Palm Treos had it as well. There where also some other options, I kinda remember Garmin selling map packs for Palm devices. Smartphones existed before android and iPhone, even if they weren’t as widespread they were catching on with the broader consumer before the iPhone was released. You saw more more people getting blackberries for personal use instead of just business.
Are you sure it wasnt another app? What I see is that it launched with the first iPhone. (Was a website previous to print directions like MapQuest and what not)
https://en.softonic.com/articles/google-maps-goes-native-on-symbian
This is one of the only things I can find talking about it, but I’m sure I used Google maps with GPS on SymbianOS.