IIRC, I heard that they were now allowing users to delete some of the stock apps in the newer iOS... I haven't tried, but what I had done before is create a folder called useless apps which I then filled up with all the things pre-installed I never used.
Apple maps was one of those...
But as was said:
One of the benefits of my Apple watch is the integration as an extension of the iPhone. Apple Maps sends info to your Watch. I get haptic taps as I approach a turn, for example.
Regardless of all of this, one thing is clear which I brought up much earlier...
So much of this comes down to personal preference.
Obviously, if you are in the Apple ecosystem, it doesn't matter. Just as if you steadfastly refuse to ever own an Apple product. But if you are neither Fanboy nor Sworn Foe, the In-Betweeners can easily go either way. I'm certain there are folk that left iPhone for another and are happy with the experience, but I see many more reports of people trying it and running back to apple than not. *shrugs
Anyway, the Apple Watch is a whole other conversation.