Android. The customisability features are awesome, widgets are nice, the sense of freedom is good. Overall I am happy. I have yet to try the WP7 though.

No one has actually compared their choice of OS to Android though, so "needing to tamper" hasn't ever been directed at Android. Everyone just says they like their OSs because they work exactly the way they want them to out of the box.

no no no NO NO NO NO EEHAAWW WEEEEHHAAAAAA!!!

Its been implied.

iOS... it has evolved into something where I don't actually need to jailbreak it anymore to have the customization i needed.. can't stand android cause manufacters tend to bloat it up with custom UI.. vannila Android is fine..

Customization and iOS can't ever be in the same sentance. What customization do you possibly have? I'm not referring to a different wallpaper or arrangment of your grid of icons... but real customization.

Without rooting, I have a phone that is guaranteed to not look like anyone elses. It fits me specifically with custom icons, special widgets, buttons w/ names to open specific panels, etc.

Now, this is all meh if you love the standard fare any OS manufacturer gives, you but having the ability to truly fit your needs and use case is just better.

You have to remember that iOS has evolved a lot since the start..
Anyway I had these when I was jailbroken on 3.0 and it hadn't these things:
Folders (which was categories before it went official, put 8 apps under 1 icon)
Extra information on your lock screen (which now you can do with different apps)
Multitasking which was with Cydia before it went official..

the most custom stuff I used to make my iPhone better for me are now in the official firmware

the only thing I still need  is SBsettings which is like that Forum Buddy thing on this site.. you can just pop up a overlay menu anywhere anytime..

Android by far. I just love everything about it. Huge number of apps, the highest number of free apps available, great customization. I have had 2 Androids so far, the HTC Hero and HTC EVO 4G, and I just recently preordered my 3rd to replace my EVO, The HTC EVO 3D.

I would probably buy a Windows 7 Phone, but only if Android ceases to exist. Would never consider an iOS device.

Maybe people feel that customization is tampering in its own right, and would rather have an OS that fits them right from the start?

Either way, implied or not, those who commented on "tampering" did so because their OS of choice is just the way they like it out of the box. Simple as that.

android, the one thing android has over ios is widgets. I dont like the plain app interface. Widgets are much better. But i believe apple will announce widgets soon but i am going to stick with my HTC desire HD for the long haul.

I'm dissapointed in all those OS phones - mainly due to battery life. Honestly speaking if they gave me dumbphone with webbrowser and navigation I wouldn't miss other smartphone features at all.

Also I can write numbers or sms much faster on psychical keyboards than on touchscreen.