Only if you don't use a case. It drives me nuts trying to reach the edge of the display but getting blocked by the side of the case, and that's even with a pretty low profile case. I never had that problem with flat screens
For me, the side swiping seems more smooth on the curved screen. I never really noticed missed or over inputs.
While I'm not sure I "prefer" them, I do think it gave the phone a more premium look and feel. There's something about the side scrolling content scrolling around the curve and off the display, and the device felt...thinner, I guess.
And ever iPhone has a flat screen, so the differentiator on the front of the device was instant.
It's definitely got downsides though, and I totally get it.