Slim Then you are intentionally arguing in bad faith and suggesting an extreme usage model and then complaining when said usage model isn't accessible to everyones grandma.
'Privacy spaces' are filled with people who have no clue about cybersec, opsec, or data sec in the first place, but regardless, you are complaining that you want to use proprietary software like modern map applications but then question why said applications are modern proprietary software. You both want something and don't want something at the same time.
All the while suggesting iOS, as if it doesn't have invasive proprietary services running?
I don't know why you are even suggesting 'de-googling' is the default/only intention for downloading GOS in the first place. It just screams not knowing much about the subject matter if you ask me.
If your use case involves not running google services, that's fine, but don't also complain that said services aren't available. Thats what you wanted, and you could always just change the use case. I just fail to see the point, it contradicts itself.
Also, objectively, play services is much more secure and private in sandboxing. Ruling that as no big deal is very much suggesting you are intentionally ignoring the security/privacy benefit of user based installation or don't understand it. File scoping alone is huge in terms of data privacy when it comes to google services if you don't want it to have free reign.