Well sure I don't disagree with you at all, but the way I always hear it from Android fans, that's why they want it. I don't get it personally, I'm quite happy with a "locked down" iPhone.
I don't know how it is on iPhones, but many Android phones come with a crap-ton of unwanted software that is uninstallable unless you have root. I'm exaggerating but it feels like buying a car with all the stations pre-programmed in the radio.