Sadly, iPhoto does not fit that bill! It's an awful and hateful piece of software. It makes no sense to me, is slow and deeply clunky and annoying because it has to import everything into a gigantic library - you can access the images through OSXs directories as normal. Who the hell thought that was a good idea?
I've also been using iPhoto for years and have never had an issue with it. It isn't the fastest app in the world, but all software can be improved.
You can have multiple libraries, which many people do, but I'm happy with one large one separated by albums and smart albums.
You can access the files in the file system if you really want, but I find it's easier to locate images using iPhoto and export what I need.
The other huge advantage to iPhoto is the ability to share a library with Aperture. Having a single library that I can work in with Aperture and then my family can use with, the far more user-friendly, iPhoto is awesome.
If I plug my HTC One into my MacBook it detectsit and opens up Android File Transfer. I have never known iPhoto to detect it, but will look when I get home tonight as I have never tried.
iPhoto won't see the device because it's MTP, which isn't a standard file system the OS X recognizes.