So smartphone hardware is smartphone hardware right? They probably all use the same capacitive touch screen parts from the same suppliers in China right?
Actually no. And this test from MOTO proves it. According to their (frankly a bit unscientific) tests, the capacitive touch screens from Motorola and HTC aren't nearly as accurate as the one that Apple uses in the iPhone. Whether this is related to software or hardware isn't certain, but it is clear that Apple's iPhone has a distinctive lead in touch screen accuracy, which in turn leads to a better touch and typing experience. Perhaps this is yet another example of Apple's hardware/software integration proving to be an advantage.