Yes, Apple didn't invent the smart phone by a long shot. But they were smart enough to know how to make the smart phone consumer friendly, which is where a lot of tech companies fail. Look at PocketPC which proceeded iPhone, not friendly at all. Even my new Android phone is still pretty clunky UI wise compared to the iPhone it replaced.

I guess I'd characterize it like Henry Ford inventing the Model T. He was not the first man to make an automobile by any means, but he invented the auto industry. I've used pre iPhone smartphones, and there is a reason they're all dead now and Apple is rich beyond imagination.

You don't have to do it first if everybody before you couldn't close the deal.

It should be noted, the LG Prada predates the original iPhone by about 6 months, with largely the same design (to the degree that LG sued Apple alleging that the design was copied). Apple managed to capture the market, however, whereas LG didn't.