Why are apple products uniquely superior?

I remember the first time I came across an Apple iPod. The feeling was so different. Even though I had come across several devices, including Blackberries, Motorola and Sagem, iPod remained one of the unique gadgets I came across. Over the years, Apple has maintained this uniqueness in hardware quality as well as in software efficiency across its various products. Since I started using iPhones, I have always felt that other devices are inferior and less efficient. Even though I thought that with time, other companies would match or rather surpass the uniqueness of Apple products. Nonetheless, no company has been able to come close.

So, my question is, what brings about this competitive uniqueness among the Apple products? Is it the software or the hardware?