I work as a PHP developer, but for personal projects I create apps with Java on Android, and have also created iPhone apps with Objective C, I disagree with you. PHP has some issues (like the ones presented here), but its also a great language for specific projects. I do prefer Java syntax honestly, but I'll never use JSP for a website, PHP is more adapted for that. PHP is not for newbies, it is easier for newbies yes, but you can be a hardcore programmer and still use PHP.