I'm skipping this iteration of the iPhone. Its the first time since 2007 that i won't have the newest iPhone.
It's just not that impressive to me, Sure there is the whole 64 Bit debate but what good is that on a device that has less than 4GB of ram? When the iPhone gets a bigger screen, NFC , Higher resolution display then i will come back. But for now the iPhone 5 is looking like it will be my last iPhone for now.
Say what you want about samsung but at least they are willing to take chances.
I get the larger screen (which by default will bring a "higher res" - though the 5S still has one of the best screens on the market), but why NFC? I'm still at a loss as to what MASSIVE features or improvements NFC offers?
Passbook offers easy GC and loyalty card features.
Airdrop offers easy p2p sharing when in close proximity to another person - photo streams when that person is far away (or you could use Dropbox).
iBeacons using BLE are MUCH more robust in their utilities and far more efficient when it comes to location based information and activities. Granted this is new and hasn't been used to its full potential - but why go backwards with NFC?
As for payments and the whole "wallet" thing - why is pulling your phone out, entering a password and then scanning a barcode easier than pulling out your wallet and swiping your card? Don't you have to carry ID? Cash sometimes? Your wallet is still there.....(at least mine was when I had my N4).
I'm all for a TRUE wallet replacement. But NFC in its current stage doesn't really cut it. IF Apple ever implements NFC into a product, it should be in the iWatch. That way, working in conjunction with the iPhone in your pocket, it would offer a two-factor authentication by utilizing biometric data as a security measure and you would simply flash your wrist to pay. So no pulling out a phone or wallet, more secure and convenient.
I am very interested in any other NFC applications that would cause the iPhone to be better with this technology implemented.....at this point I just don't see it.