What are the Best (non-iPhone) smartphones to use with OSX?

[farankoshan]

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Besides the obvious iPhone, what other post-2009 smartphones work well (i.e. sync contacts & calendar, bluetooth file exchange) with OSX?

I don't mean, Boot-camp Windows, just purely OSX on Macs.

I'm also aware that a workaround is to sync your phone via your Google-account online, which Address Book & iCal can sync to as well.
But this inquiry is purely on a local network, USB/Bluetooth level.

So I've narrowed it down to these criteria:

1.) iSync-friendly (Address Book, iCal, etc.) - All, some or nothing?
2.) Bluetooth file exchange? - can we trade files between Mac & phone?

Just like an iPhone does with our beloved Macs.
This recent list from Apple seems to list many OLD phones, and not too many smartphones. That can't mean that the iPhone is the only option for, right?


What I do know:

SONY ERICSSON
Sony Ericsson Vivaz & Vivaz Pro are plagued with sync'ing problems for iSync.
Sony Ericsson's Xperia line don't sync at all.
The X10 mini pro doesn't just not sync, it also cannot receive via Bluetooth. This is mainly because of it's Android Windows-based OS (which makes all Windows-based phones null & void. doh!)

And slowly, the software support is dwindling from Sony Ericsson...even on Symbian phones. why?!

BLACKBERRY
Blackberries are okay, besides the fact that Bluetooth sync'ing doesn't apply.
Blackberry Desktop Manager is ok, though the PC-version of the software is a lot more robust? The Mac version runs ver 1.0.3 (Build 19).

HTC
Zero support. End of story. (The Missing Sync is a faulty program. Don't buy it!) Pity since the Taiwanese firm designs some pretty nice phones. If I'm wrong, is there a better software out there that anyone here can vouch for?

What I don't know:

SAMSUNG
MOTOROLA
myPHONE
NOKIA
any others?

I'd appreciate some testimonials with verifiable details, instead of just hearsay. Thanks so much for those who can help. I'm sure many Mac-users out there could use this thread to list alternatives to the iPhone (especially SMART users).

[jaijin]

My BBerry 9700 synched perfectly, it was one of my best non-iPhone phones ever.

Close second would be the Nokia E72.

Vivaz syncs just okay.

[wulf]

n900, you just need to download a plugin for isync

[coolpix32]

i'm happy with the syncing of my nokia e71. i sync my iCal and contacts.

[jnb]

blackberry: best

nokia symbian: even after downloading isync, sometimes still lots of problem. even erasing all contacts

windows mobile: need to buy missing sync for windows mobile. performance is ok

[farankoshan]

blackberry: best

nokia symbian: even after downloading isync, sometimes still lots of problem. even erasing all contacts

windows mobile: need to buy missing sync for windows mobile. performance is ok

@jaijin & coolpix32: Is the "E" line of Nokia the easiest to sync with Mac? Any touchscreen Nokias work well?

@wulf: Thanks for the suggestion. Have you iSync'd with N900?

@jnb: Thanks for that helpful bit of info about Nokia. But, I've heard that Missing Sync doesn't work quite as well as users would like, especially with the fact that you won't know until you drop the weighty $40 price. How does SyncMate compare? Have you or anyone you know used it on a Windows Mobile device? HTC perhaps?

[jappy]

im using an e90 as my other unit.
isync works fine with me.
i just need my contacts and calendar on both e90 and iphone updated properly.
=)

[farankoshan]

The common demoninator seems to be Symbian OS.

[ishg]

The X10 mini pro doesn't just not sync, it also cannot receive via Bluetooth. This is mainly because of it's Android Windows-based OS (which makes all Windows-based phones null & void.)

Couldn't help but say, Android is not Windows-based. With Android, you can sync via your Google account, which you can sync with Address Book and iCal.

[jlerojo]

farankoshan im quoting your statement above:

"HTC[/U]
Zero support. End of story. (The Missing Sync is a faulty program. Don't buy it!) Pity since the Taiwanese firm designs some pretty nice phones. If I'm wrong, is there a better software out there that anyone here can vouch for?"

Ive been using Windows Mobile ever since its inception, right now im using a Samsung Omnia Pro WM6.1 . .I sync it with my MBP using The Missing Sync. .I dont find any problem or fault in the programing of the Missing Sync, using it is very easy. I also have an HTC and I didnt see any problem with it. Calendar,Contacts,Files,Bookmark,Photos,Task etc and even Call logs sync well with my OSX SL. .you can ever browse the device including the external card(microSD) therefore transfer files to and from the mobile phone and install SW for your phone using the Missing Sync. I used to have an Iphone during the pre Globe Telecom launch day, I disposed of it coz I really need a physical keyboard which the Iphone doesnt have (yet).

So for my recommendation, Id recommend a Samsung an HTC or even a SE as long as it has WM in it.