Ah, so only 95% of Android users are getting screwed. Carry on then.
With Android, this option is also available in the form of the Nexus series... you get Google hardware, T-Mobile, and you can get updates. However, you can also get hundreds of other phones across different carriers and manufacturers and also varying upgrade options.
Stick with the single company option if you don´t want to get ¨screwed¨ as it´s available too.
If one maker produces a crappy Android phones, all Android phones are bad?
It is a disadvantage that there ARE bad Android phones, but there are also good ones. You probably have to invest a little bit more research then when you just buy the latest iPhone.