My contract is up in about a month and I am considering either the krave or the LG env touch for my next phone. I am someone who uses my phone simply as a phone. I do not use the tv features, I have an iPod for music, if I text 10 times in a year, that is a lot.

All I want to do is make and receive calls, use the phonebook, check my voicemail, take an occassional picture and very rarely text. I have had good motorola phones (razr) and bad (startec). I love flip phones and want a touchscreen so the Krave seems perfect, but I have read a lot of bad reviews.

I have played with both phones in the store and found the kraves touchscreen to be a little more responsive, but I have some concerns I hope actual users can answer.

1.  How is the battery life? (I am concerned the battery wont last two years. I have never had a Motorola for two years and have found in the past the Motorola batteries aren't so great after a year)

Anyone who has had this phone since October, November etc., your opinion would be greatly appreciated.

2.  When checking voice mail, how do you get the keypad to turn back on? (If I want to delete a voice mail, what do I press to turn the screen back on)

I really want to like this phone and get it. For my usage, is this a good phone?    

I've had Krave since it came out last year. Battery life is not bad- but just like any other phone, the more the screen is on for browsing, pictures, texting, the more the battery dies. I've had periods for almost two weeks between charges (always on, very little use though).
Since you are not a big texter, this phone may be a good option for you.
For turning the screen on during a call: the phone uses the sensor in the flip to detect your head and shut the display off. When you move it from your head, the display should turn back on by itself (assuming you are not still touching the flip with your finger). You can also make the display come back on by pressing any key on the phone (such as the side keys).

You sound a lot like me, I too have had motorola phones in the past. I'll be very honest with you about the krave. I've had my phone since Dec 08.

1. Battery life (for me any way) has been very good. I charge my phone probably once a week, and I use my phone for quite a bit, talking, browsing the web and VZ navigator.

2. Once you move the phone, like the other guy said (sorry I can't remember who you are) the display lights back up. You do have to unlock it then touch the dial pad button, it take some getting used to but not bad.

A couple of down falls are the browser that comes on the phone ( but you said you don't care for the data plan) and the fact you can't remove icons from the screen when it's open. Other than that the phone seems to work very well as a cell phone/mp3 player. It is not a smart phone even though it was marketed as one. I have never had an issue with the mp3 player side and I actually put 2 full length movies on the phone and they work and look great (it's nice if you travel). The bluetooth/handsfree part of the phone works well as well.

I hope this helps in your decision to pick a phone. The Krave is a great phone and pretty cool looking too, if thats what you're looking for then this sounds like it, if you want Motorola's version of a smart phone choose something else.