I've always thought HTC makes the best phones out there, but no one knows about them because their marketing department is the worst!
The majority of the people don't really care about SD slots and removable batteries. The proof is in the iPhone! Never has it had an SD slot or removable battery, but it still sells. It all comes down to marketing, it helps the people that don't know about the product, know about it!
(Sorry if this doesn't make sense, it's early in the morning xD)
-Luis