After every launch, the entire internet starts up a hate storm about how they were disappointed by the announcement. Macrumors, Reddit, 9to5mac, The Verge, Engadget, Twitter, Facebook. Every website has comment streams flooded with messages about how the Lumia is so much superior, or how the iPhone 5 wasn't radical enough or how Apple has barely caught up with Android. Here's my opinions the iPhone 5's "missing" features.
NFC
I currently own a Galaxy Nexus. Know how many times I've used NFC to share stuff with friends or pay for something with Google Wallet? None. Including technology that isn't widely supported into your flagship phone doesn't make sense. Why add weight and thickness if the extras aren't even widely supported?
Wireless Charging
Again, the same argument: it comes down to adding extra weight and thickness for supporting technology absent in the real world. The Lumia weighs 183 grams vs 112 grams for the iPhone 5 vs 135 grams for the Galaxy Nexus. adding that much extra weight just to support an accessory? Ridiculous.
Screen Size
Before the 4" debut, 3.5" was too big. After? Apple needed to go bigger. My Nexus measures at 4.65". I have to use two hands just to send a small text message. I can't unlock the screen if its password protected. I can't even browse Reddit properly because the screen size is too big. Is 3.5" too small? Certainly. But going bigger than 4-4.2" would seem like overkill. I was the fan of the Nexus S and was actually saddened when I saw the Galaxy Nexus at 4.65". It's too big to use with one hand or to fit in your pocket.
Lightning Connector
Ever tried plugging in a Micro-USB or a 30-pin dock connector in the middle of the night before going to sleep and after turning off the light? It's not fun. Hell, sometimes I have to turn on the light just to see how the damn connector fits in to my Nexus. People are actually mad that Apple introduced a smaller cable with a reversible cable and not using Micro USB. Until I see that this cable is actually a hindrance rather than a help, I wouldn't make up my mind saying that Apple screwed the pooch.
Radical Redesign
I think reddit user abdophoto described the iPhone's design evolution best using this image:
It's easy to do radical designs when discovering the best shape but there's no reason to keep launching new designs when you hit the gold mine. The consumers love the design and are willing to spend money for it. Why change it now? Sure, in the R&D stage, experiment away, but don't try it out on your flagship phone. Apple doesn't have 400 different smartphones in the market like Samsung. They keep it simple and elegant.
Conclusion
There's no point in adding a new feature unless it directly benefits the consumer. Just by adding random ideas that you can think of into your flagship phone doesn't make it the best phone in the world. Just because you can watch a video while typing a text message, doesn't mean it's revolutionary. Just because you can wirelessly charge the phone using a dock that plugs into the wall doesn't make it mind-blowing.
For me (A Galaxy Nexus user) the things I bitch about are the fact that Apple's ecosystem is too closed (No defaulting of 3rd Party Apps or inclusion of apps like the barebones stocks app or the Newsstand folder which you can't delete). As for Windows Phone fans, well, we can discuss your issues when your phone AND OS actually launches.