That is the exact reason MOST people do buy phones. And that is really how the market works, personal preference. %99 of people could care less if they had the newest and fastest phone with the best hardware and software. They look for whatever works and seems cool to them. How do you think apple does so good? When you only have a handfull of phones to choose from people don't care about what's new or whats coming out in a week because they have a phone that works for them and there isnt much difference in the hardware/software (and looks, apples biggest downfull but there users still don't complain as much as android users...)
As far as AOSP phones go, good luck with that fight. It's funny because I have friends that have had motoblur phones and HATED android because thats what they thought android actually was. Same goes with touchwiz sense and any other manufacturers UI.
Instead of it just saying, 'With Google' on the back of these phones, it should really say 'With Google, overlayed with doo doo'
Be happy with what you have, ICS will make this phone AMAZING! Hardware acceleration and optimization make a heck of a difference, which almost ALL android devices lack (another apple 1 up)
At the end of the day, it will be the phone manufacturers that cause the fall of android, not because they are on the ball about releasing the best of the best but becasue they are defacing android as a user friendly OS.