OK: How is it as a phone? Good clarity on both ends? Does it hold calls?

I'm up for a renewal on vzw, and am sorely tempted. I've been on BBs for years, mostly happily, but am getting tired of waiting for them to update.

The battery addons for iphones still bug me. I want to be able to carry a spare battery or two when I get into areas with flaky signals and no charger.

thanks,

-jk