I can see where they are coming from but ...
Google have been pretty clever here (sadly). You can have Android if you like with no knobs on - there's an open source version but its "unsupported". However if you want the full fat version that Google support then you also have to sign up to getting the extras that keep the Choccy Factory embedded in your customers.
Sadly most manufacturers go for the "supported" option, rather than having the balls to do it themselves. Back in the day they would be doing all of it from scratch, now we have the usual lazy can't be arsed to manage our own operating system cobblers, even when it is detrimental to their product.
As to the effect that has on handset pricing? Well a judge has ruled on that now.