I don't blame the users. There's usually no way to upgrade android versions, so we get stuck unless we replace the phone, and most people can't afford to replace their phones so often. I'd go further and say that people shouldn't be supposed to replace their phones because of a new software version. The android's distribution model is flawed, we should be able to upgrade our phones the same way we upgrade linux distros. If it was possible, then I would blame users for running unmaintained software.
I'm on 14 but to be honest the only difference I really noticed is GTA Vice City got broken by it I presume it will never be fixed since they seem to have done another version.
So yeah it's really only taught me not to buy apps again I'm not a fan of the restricted folder/file manager restrictions either.
My phone was on 11 and wasn't receiving security updates so I said fuck it and installed lineage os. Nice experience so far, hoping to make this phone last at least a few more years.
Personally, I am still on 13 using lineage OS. I have been offered Android 14, but in order to do that, I might have to either wipe my device or at least plug it into a computer and neither of which I particularly want to do at the moment. Running Android 13 has been perfectly fine for me.
Galaxy S10 Android 12 UI 4.1 til the wheels come off (a.k.a banking/gpay apps stop working due to lack of latest security updates), there are no advances in the last 6 years that I've owned my phone which in any way have tempted me to throw out another thousand dollars for.