I'd argue the other way - the camera on modern phones is a massive selling point, I know many people that choose their phone based on it. It therefore makes sense that the out of the box should include manual controls somewhere as an option.
I know Apple like to push the whole "shot on an iPhone" thing, and they want to make sure the default app is giving the "best" quality. So maybe that's the reason they don't include them?
And to take your analogy further - I have a Polaroid 195, it has full manual controls. Of course, it was aimed at pro photographers who wanted those controls, and sold at a premium.
And to prove my point, if you ask someone old enough to remember a Polaroid camera to describe it, they'll describe the SX-70. It was revolutionary for how it put photography into the hands of non-photographers. The 195 doesn't even warrant a footnote in history.
I know Apple like to push the whole "shot on an iPhone" thing, and they want to make sure the default app is giving the "best" quality. So maybe that's the reason they don't include them?
And to take your analogy further - I have a Polaroid 195, it has full manual controls. Of course, it was aimed at pro photographers who wanted those controls, and sold at a premium.