Being able to use an exploit to get root on your Android device is every bit as annoying as being able to use an exploit to get root on an iOS device (particularly as "getting root" isn't even enough on either device: you need to disable a bunch of random OS-level protections with a kernel exploit). There are a small number of Android devices with an unlocked bootloader, but in reality that just means "the Nexus devices from Google that people on Hacker News often complain about the shitty customer service regarding" as the other devices with this property aren't worth buying (and the flagship devices from Samsung--the ones people want to buy with the epic cameras and the great screens--are of course all locked and while they still aren't quite as competent at it they are at least trying hard at their anti-user "security" measures).
Nearly all the Sony phones have bootloaders to my knowledge, and I have personally always loved their build quality too. Not to mention they're one of the few manufacturers that still allow you to have a microSD instead of paying through your nose for extra onboard storage, so they're my personal recommendation.
