i've had the iphone since day two of the first model's release, and i've seen it all. even with all of my experience with the phone, still, to this day, it'll surprise me with its utility.
everybody's playing catchup. nexus one, probably the best android phone out there, still isn't as elegant and put together as the iphone. if there were no iphone, the nexus one would be an incredible phone - but if there were no iphone, there would be no android.
even if you don't care for the iphone, you must admit that it has pushed the smartphone industry forward a huge amount in the three years since release.