I do think Apple puts more thought and creative attention into their hardware design than anyone else, or at least that’s their image, and based on that, it’s easy to see how they have (in addition) become fashion trend-setters in the industry.
So even if a design or detail is bad (according to me, or you, or most people, like a bad movie), a lot of thought went into it, and probably a lot of people will copy it! :)
(I am aware that Apple is not the only company that innovates or takes risks. But there does seem to be something unique about Apple that has caused them to draw such ire since seemingly forever.)