I dont think jobs was necessary a taste savant as he was notorious for claiming other peoples ideas as his own. But he was willing to walk over anyone if he thought it would make a better product be they another company, his board, or subordinates. Nothing was sacred.
Ives is not that person he is too nice.
That’s the whole point of being a “taste savant”. Recognizing good ideas when you see them.
Jobs wasn’t the one producing the designs. He was critiquing them and pointing out what he liked.