QUestion about upgrading to iPhone 4 and selling on AT&T - General Questions and Answers

Can anyone tell me if this would work? Hypothetically, I have a family plan with 3 lines. Line A, Line B and Line C.
Line A and Line C are eligible for an upgrade. Could I upgrade both to iPhone 4? That would cost either $424 - $636 depending if I decide 16GB or 32GB version. I would also have a data plan added for Line C (Line A already has unlimited). SO that is $15 per month.
Now could I just move the iPhone sim from Line C to a non-smartphone and would the data plan be canceled. And then after sell both iPhones for $1400-$1600. and continue to use the smartphone I previously had on Line A and continue to use a non-smartphone on Line C.
Would this work or would I be hit with any fees. Is this feasible?
Thanks,
~Mo
P.S. So far it seems I should be able to do this only problem I encountered is will I lose my Unlimited Data plan on Line A or will it be grandfathered in because it wasn't working online, it will work in a retail store correct?
Also, if this works what is a good price that I can quickly sell an iPhone 4 on ebay for? Are my prices accurate?

Nope. Part of the new ETF on AT&T is that you must keep the phone and data plan, they do this specifically to prevent people from doing exactly what you are trying to do.
Sent from my Incredible using Tapatalk

there is no possible way? is the ETF $300? I prefer to buy the Samsung Galaxy-S I9000 instead of the Captivate but can't justify paying that much extra unless I make the money doing something like this?
Some people I have asked said it will work as long as I don't cancel service and keep data plan for 30 days.

Related

9 Months to Go on Contract

Anyone see a way to get a Thunderbolt when I have 9 months to go on my current contract? I realize I could pay full price but not looking to do so. Thanks for any suggestions. My current phone is an amoled incredible.
Add a line? $10. a month.
jdk2 said:
Add a line? $10. a month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you added a line and got the contract pricing wouldn't you also have to sign up for a data plan, which then cannot be removed without breaking the contract and incurring ETFs. then it'd be $10 + $29.99/month......seems buying retail would be better/equivalent to that.
ebay is always an option, but since it's so new it would be quite difficult to get anything much less than retail cost.
i don't know much about it but i've seen mention of early upgrade fees on verizon, maybe you could talk to verizon employees and see if you have any options there. i haven't had much luck with them but people have posted about experiences with verizon people where they are really accommodating and friendly.
sitrucz said:
Anyone see a way to get a Thunderbolt when I have 9 months to go on my current contract? I realize I could pay full price but not looking to do so. Thanks for any suggestions. My current phone is an amoled incredible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Back when I got my Droid 1, I was only 12 months into my 2 year contract. VZW let me do an early upgrade but did charge me a $20.00 fee. I recomend you calling *611 from your phone.
good luck !!!
Verizon did the same with me for my tbolt. I was 13 months into contract, they let me upgrade for 2 year contract price + 25.00$
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Buy retail or try to get an early upgrade...
it is actually really annoying. everyone always wants the latest phones and cannot wait to get them... and then they scramble to find the best way to get them when they still have "x" months left in their contract (x usually being greater than 6, closer to 12).
at that point, why not just get a 1 year contract to begin with. pay the extra $70 for your device up front but then have the freedom and flexibility at 10 months to do as you choose (and be able to get a new device without trying to "work the system" and weasel your way out of a contract or find some fishy way to add another line). you will end up spending more if you do not get a 1 yr contract.
I am a firm believer of this!
*EDIT*: and Verizon does not always allow early upgrades for 2 yr contracts, so you cannot rely on that
bmcclure937 said:
Buy retail or try to get an early upgrade...
it is actually really annoying. everyone always wants the latest phones and cannot wait to get them... and then they scramble to find the best way to get them when they still have "x" months left in their contract (x usually being greater than 6, closer to 12).
at that point, why not just get a 1 year contract to begin with. pay the extra $70 for your device up front but then have the freedom and flexibility at 10 months to do as you choose (and be able to get a new device without trying to "work the system" and weasel your way out of a contract or find some fishy way to add another line). you will end up spending more if you do not get a 1 yr contract.
I am a firm believer of this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That, I'm never getting another phone at a two-year contract ever again unless the whole market system changes with it, which i dont see happening.
Regardless, if you are stuck in a contract, do the add a line thing, as with that, you can get the new phone on a new line, then switch it over to a crappy cheap phone that doesn't need a data plan, and disable everything on it, so you're only paying the $10 a month for an extra line.
Russ36363 said:
Regardless, if you are stuck in a contract, do the add a line thing, as with that, you can get the new phone on a new line, then switch it over to a crappy cheap phone that doesn't need a data plan, and disable everything on it, so you're only paying the $10 a month for an extra line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe i'm not well-versed on verizon's contract terms. are you all sure that the contract doesn't forbid cancelling the data plan? i was basing my knowledge on an experience with at&t more than two years ago, haha. at that time i did the secondary line upgrade to get a new blackberry and at&t's terms were that in order to get an upgrade price it is required to sign up for a data package. the loophole there for me was that the data plan could be cancelled after two months at no cost at all. later on a friend who tried to do the same thing as me could not because at&t changed their policy and would not allow people to remove data plans after two months without an ETF.
is verizon's policy better and either doesn't require a data plan upon upgrade or allows you to remove it immediately after upgrading? (note: i tried to look up verizon's policy on this by going to the site and pretending to be a new customer but it started to ask for payment and personal info before showing me the terms and conditions. it did require me to sign up for a data plan when purchasing a smartphone though) i'm curious to know what the fine details are.
bkiminfinity said:
if you added a line and got the contract pricing wouldn't you also have to sign up for a data plan, which then cannot be removed without breaking the contract and incurring ETFs. then it'd be $10 + $29.99/month......seems buying retail would be better/equivalent to that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
make sure you have an older dumbphone to transfer your existing line to. then you can drop data to your heart's content.
i have done this twice now, once for x and once for thunderbolt. $10/mo each.
bkiminfinity said:
maybe i'm not well-versed on verizon's contract terms. are you all sure that the contract doesn't forbid cancelling the data plan? i was basing my knowledge on an experience with at&t more than two years ago, haha. at that time i did the secondary line upgrade to get a new blackberry and at&t's terms were that in order to get an upgrade price it is required to sign up for a data package. the loophole there for me was that the data plan could be cancelled after two months at no cost at all. later on a friend who tried to do the same thing as me could not because at&t changed their policy and would not allow people to remove data plans after two months without an ETF.
is verizon's policy better and either doesn't require a data plan upon upgrade or allows you to remove it immediately after upgrading? (note: i tried to look up verizon's policy on this by going to the site and pretending to be a new customer but it started to ask for payment and personal info before showing me the terms and conditions. it did require me to sign up for a data plan when purchasing a smartphone though) i'm curious to know what the fine details are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the experiences I've had and others who've posted about it, the only restriction AFAIK from verizon is that you need a data plan on the line when you activate the phone on that line, so you'd need to add a data plan on the line when a smartphone is activated for it. However, if the phone isn't a smartphone, i've been able to add and remove the data to the line as needed (I've had an old enV phone where theres been a few times where I've needed the data, so I've just turned on the data plan for the two weeks or so, and never gotten charged outside of that, or fees)
Bodero said:
make sure you have an older dumbphone to transfer your existing line to. then you can drop data to your heart's content.
i have done this twice now, once for x and once for thunderbolt. $10/mo each.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have an old blackberry pearl flip, does that count? seeing that it is a blackberry i would think it doesn't......
but a follow-up question i have is that is it worth it paying the extra $10/month? price speculation for tbolt: $319 for 1-year contract, add the $10/month for a year = $120 for a total of $439. retail is $599 so you save $160.....as opposed to paying $319 alone and saving $280. i guess for someone with an upgrade available the method of adding a line and then moving the new phone saves you an upgrade and costs $120 more to get the tbolt. so you are paying an extra $120 above the cost of the phone itself to save your upgrade.
makes more sense for someone with no upgrade option then.
But i didn't think it could be just 10 dollars a month. The phones are required to have their own 29.99 data plan
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Thanks all I'm thinking *611 and see if I'm eligible for that early upgrade and will do the 1 year contract.
Bodero said:
make sure you have an older dumbphone to transfer your existing line to. then you can drop data to your heart's content.
i have done this twice now, once for x and once for thunderbolt. $10/mo each.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or call Verizon and tell them you no longer want a phone on that line and they'll put a dummy ESN on it. That's what I did the last time I pulled the add a line and drop it for a discount.
It turns out I'm eligible for the early upgrade on 5/10 of this year which puts me on my incredible for 1 year. My full upgrade is up on 1/10/12. So I guess I'll see what's out there in May. Thanks again.
just keep calling *611 and get someone that is nice. after 4 calls to CS i begged the lady to ask her supervisor to advance my upgrade (from Dec.). I paid the $20.00 fee. good luck.
I found an official document on verizon's FAQs under "Worry Free Guarantee". Easier to get to through google. When I have the link I can post it.
Basically it states that if you are in a two year plan already you will be able to take advantage of one more annual upgrade at discount price or if you so choose wait until your 20th month and get your "New Every Two" credit.
I had to print this sheet and make sure the full url was across the top in order to show it to a verizon rep. He then put a remark under my account stating that I was indeed elgible for an early upgrade. The problem is just with the changes verizon is now implementing.
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using XDA App
I bought my thunderbolt on craigslist for $540. Was a little shady as the guy didn't have the box, but had all the accessories Verizon employee maybe? Just can't imagine how a day old phone is missing the box. Anyway I activated the phone with no issue.
When you guys are paying the $20 or whatever to get the early upgrade, so they just reset your account so that Wirefly/Amazon/etc see you as upgrade eligible, or do you then have to buy the phone from VZW? I'd like to upgrade 4 months early (and have multiple lines to upgrade, so the "new every 2" would only take care of one phone) but I don't want to pay VZW an extra $50/phone if I can avoid it.
They are sadly apparently getting rid of the annual upgrade feature Anyway should you want to go the full retail route I got mine cheapest through VZW at 599.99 vs the 749.99 it seemed to be listed everywhere else. I don't get my annual upgrade which they are still honoring for the time being until July of this year (still can get it should I want to grab another device this summer).
The only reason I could see to upgrade earlier than your annual upgrade date is in the off chance verizon changes the way they do 4G data plans for new 4G phones at that point? Currently they are offering 4G at 3G data prices w/ unlimited data, and they can't suddenly start charging those of us who are on these unlimited plans more or force us to the tiered plan concept... so we'd be grandfathered in sorta like the unlimited data AT&T users are currently. Was the main reason for me jumping the gun and upgrading early at full retail, that and the speeds are amazing.

Going to have a 2-year contract on September... Want a new Windows Phone

Hi, i am a student from Vietnam, but studying at United States right now. This is my first year at United States, so i haven't signed a contract yet because i know i will be back Vietnam for a little bit (for about ~4 months). I will be back here on September, 2011 and i think i am going to sign a 2-year contract and get a Windows Phone 7 Device because my currect monthly-contract with T-Mobile is kinda expensive i think...
i am current having the HTC HD7 T-Mobile T9292, bought on ebay. Work perfectly,i am loving it. And September seem to be far away, and HD7 is not a "failed" device, somebody would wonder why i create this thread.
But today, when i went back from the school, i suddenly dropped my HD7 to the ground quite hard and it had no cover at all ( i forgot to put the black-silicon cover for it because i was leaving in hurry in the morning). The phone was damaged physically outside, top right corner ( but still working, no problem while operating the phone) and it looks ugly. I am kinda a person who have a "eye-infinity", want to own something look sexy (that why i bought the HD7). So, when the phone is damaged and cannot be fixed, i get mad (not really, lol ) and there is one thing run across my head, "I am going to have a new phone" .
basically, i know nothing about signing a contract with a wiress-provider. If someone can give me some info that would be great. I am a Microsoft-Fan, and Windows Phone 7 is great to use. But now it get me really confuse. I don't know which phone i am going to get.
HTC HD7 is fine, since i have some special respect to HTC because they always make cool phones, but it has some issue, like "Pink-Camera", TFT-LCD only... Now, we even have a HD7S from AT&T. And again, i don't know which carrier to choose. People said AT&T is expensive, but has a better coverage than T-Mobile...blah...blah...blah. Even Android is not that bad. I am really confuse.
If someone can help me out, that would be great!
PS: I will be at St.Peterburg, FL next year, if someone are going to answer my question about coverage! Thanks!
Why not just order a replacement housing for it instead of signing up for a contract?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-Original-HT...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb77dea52#ht_2185wt_1208
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
Why not just order a replacement housing for it instead of signing up for a contract?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-Original-HT...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb77dea52#ht_2185wt_1208
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
or put a cover on it ?
or buy anything off craigslist... a two year contract with the devil, for a phone you can pick up for $200 locally ?
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
Why not just order a replacement housing for it instead of signing up for a contract?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-Original-HT...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb77dea52#ht_2185wt_1208
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link. But i have another question. If i sign a new contract (to T-Mobile for example), can i use my old phone? Or i must have another one?
I want to sign a contract because i cannot handle $50 /month plan for the whole year (Unlimited Talk and text, 100mb data). I choose that plan only beacause i want the "Data", i use the EGRPS/3G more than talk and texting. My friend who have a iPhone 4 AT&T, pay $25/month, and has 2GB Data, 2year contract.
ohgood said:
+1
or put a cover on it ?
or buy anything off craigslist... a two year contract with the devil, for a phone you can pick up for $200 locally ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the silicon cover for it. It cover the damaged part pretty well. But the idea of signing a contract here is having the Data Usage ( i am a heavily 3G/EGPRS user). I don't need Unlimited talk and text but i need EGPRS so that why i need to choose the plan $50/month...
Plus, remember, most likely AT&T will be merging with T-Mobile within 12 months or so. So, being with one or the other in the long run won't matter & signing a contract with T-Mobile, you may be able to cancel your contact free of charge in a yr. In the USA, you're allowed to cancel a contract free of charge when there's a merger of this type. Also, T-Mobile is cheaper than AT&T & in my experience has better service. I've seen many AT&T users not have signer where I do with T-Mobile, granted non of this matter once the merger is complete.
First thing to mention using an existing device, AT&T & T-Mobile have different 3G frequencies so a T-Mobile device won't get 3G on AT&T. Now they both are GSM & so have SIM Cards so you can reuse your device, just get a cheap free phone with your new contract.
I look at the Windows Phone Chart today, and i don't think any current device is better than HD7, since i have already gotten used to the 4.3 inch screen, it is hard to switch to something smaller than 4 inch.
Dell Venue now is a good choice, but i actually don't like the design that much, and Dell is not really famous in Smartphone category.
ASUS also has a plan for a Windows Phone 7 Device, same as HTC ( a new ad about Windows Phone 7 HTC Device with 16mp Camera and Front Camera for video call) ... and i think they are quite sexy to compare to the HD7.
I was just checking both AT&T & T-Mobile's plans & the cheapest Talk/Text/Web I see is $60 for T-Mobile (500 Mins) & $75 for AT&T (450 Mins w/ Roll Over, $39.99 Talk/$20.00 Text/$15.00 Web). Both have Unlimited Text & 200 MB Data.
So, you have signed the contract to T-Mobile? What is your current plan? (How much per month?) and What is the cheapeast plan that T-Mobile provide?
I have Unlimited Talk/Unlimited Text on 5 lines & Unlimited Web on 1 line. Our bill is $314.05 (With Taxes/Fees/Etc.). T-Mobile does have an Unlimited Talk/Text/Web deal for $80 for a single line.
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
I have Unlimited Talk/Unlimited Text on 5 lines & Unlimited Web on 1 line. Our bill is $314.05 (With Taxes/Fees/Etc.). T-Mobile does have an Unlimited Talk/Text/Web deal for $80 for a single line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any suggestion? 200MB Web is not that bad if i use EGPRS only... but 3G maybe a little bit different, since i am not always home or any cafe' to have Wifi... I may get crazy one day and use all my data in watching video on YouTube!
But i can't believe that my friend can get $25/month, and 2GB Web Data on AT&T for iPhone 4!
I highly doubt he's only paying $25 a month. I believe that to be just for Data, not including talk/text. I pay $30 a month for my Unlimited Data, the 200 MB Data is only $15. AT&T does not have an Unlimited Data plan. They have the 200 MB & 2 GB plans.
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
I highly doubt he's only paying $25 a month. I believe that to be just for Data, not including talk/text. I pay $30 a month for my Unlimited Data, the 200 MB Data is only $15. AT&T does not have an Unlimited Data plan. They have the 200 MB & 2 GB plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if you sign a contract, you can pay separately between call/texting and Web Data? That sould really cool to me...
Are you having unlimited data for your HD7?
Correct, my plan is a shared family plan of Unlimited Talk/Text for all 5 lines. My line has it's own Unlimited Data. I prefer to be safe for the extra $15 & not have to worry about data usage.
Thank you very much about the T-Mobile's Plan sir!
Look like i am going to have a contract with T-Mobile... The problem now, is waiting for some Cool Windows Phone 7 Device come out... and hopefully... t-mobile will have it

[Q] Use ATT family plan upgrade eligibility to upgrade other phone?

Hi,
I have an ATT Family account, with 3 lines. Two lines (one of them mine) run smartphones, and have the $15/mo data plan. The third line is eligible for an upgrade. I was wondering if I can use that upgrade eligibility to upgrade my phone? I could pay for the new phone, and have it shipped to my address.
However, what I am concerned about is having data plan enabled on all the three lines. I definitely want to avoid that. Is there any way to upgrade that line to a smartphone, but then "transfer" the data plan to my line? That way, we still have 2 lines with data, 1 without, and I am using the newer phone.
I am new to USA, and the system of contracts here, so please pardon me if the question appears stupid
Thanks!
AT&T Does not allow data sharing (they are working on family data plans).
You cannot drop your data plan or transfer it because upon purchase of a smart phone you signed a contract for 2 years that you will sustain a $15 a month data plan.
Purchasing another smartphone will do just that (unless you buy off contract, but that isn't the case it seems).
Violating the contract is quite expensive. It's like $200 plus the amount of months still to pay off times 30 dollars.
Oh well.. that's what I feared. So there's absolutely no way to do it? Maybe coax them into a contract extension for my own line or something? (My line is around 10 months old I guess)
I think you must be 18 months in or pay the early termination fee. At 10 months, that's expensive. They could bend, but they are bound to a contract so I doubt it.
Sent from my Motorola Atrix 4G on the network with the most backhaul, whatever that is. This post might have errors as I hate touchscreen keyboards.
you may have to pay a fee but it is possible to do that...

[Q] Question about upgrading/family plan

So amazon has the 1 cent phones for Black Friday weekend. I was thinking about getting one and adding it to a family plan, but i dont have a family plan. If i add a line via Verizons site, then buy one from amazon and activate it, can i take the verizon phone back to them and get it off of the family plan without an ETF while keeping the amazon one?
Anyone have any insight?
I'm not 100% certain, but isn't the 1 cent pricing only available to new customers?
Nope. The penny pricing is available to add-a-line options.... You can add a line to an individual plan. The only question is if Verizon will approve another line...your plan would result in Amazon charging you a $250 fee for not keeping the line (and the data plan on that line active...)
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA App

Best Buy/Sprint My Way Student Promotion

My plan with VZW is about to expire and I'm ready to upgrade my GNex to a N5. I was just going to buy it from Google and go with the $30 T-Mobile Walmart plan. Then I heard about the promotion Sprint and Best Buy are doing. Basically you overpay for a phone and get unlimited T&T and 1GB of data for free or unlimited data for $10 a month. The N5 is one of the only phones it works out ahead for. Can somebody check my math? After the first year, you can just leave.
Original Plan: $350 for N5 + $30 a month for TMobile plan = $710 for first year
Sprint Plan: $450 for N5 + $10 a month for unlimited data = $570 for first year
The promo is only available in store at Best Buy, but at least I don't have to wait for my phone to ship.
Your math is correct but it all depends on what model nexus you get. The deal sounds a little too good to be true but I could be wrong. 1GB of data isn't crap. If you are looking for the cheap route I would look into straight talk.
edit: either way tell verizon to have a nice life
mistahseller said:
Your math is correct but it all depends on what model nexus you get. The deal sounds a little too good to be true but I could be wrong. 1GB of data isn't crap. If you are looking for the cheap route I would look into straight talk.
edit: either way tell verizon to have a nice life
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had my sim card for one day. I already used .76 gigs running a few speed tests and updating a few apps. 1gb is mega crap.
Don't just take the first year into consideration. The deal is for a 2 year contract. How much will that second year cost you per month?
lowandbehold said:
Don't just take the first year into consideration. The deal is for a 2 year contract. How much will that second year cost you per month?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not for a two year contract. You get one year free (or $10) and can leave anytime. There is no ETF.
"Sprint will send the account holder a text message 30 days before the completion of free service on the student's line. Upon completion of free service, the student line will be charged regular price for service for Unlimited, My Way ($70/month for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of data on smartphones ($50/month on basic phones with blocked data); additional $10/month for unlimited data, if applicable). To avoid charges, the account holder can terminate the student line by calling Sprint or dialing *2 from their mobile phone before the end of 12 months."
ari6126 said:
It's not for a two year contract. You get one year free (or $10) and can leave anytime. There is no ETF.
"Sprint will send the account holder a text message 30 days before the completion of free service on the student's line. Upon completion of free service, the student line will be charged regular price for service for Unlimited, My Way ($70/month for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of data on smartphones ($50/month on basic phones with blocked data); additional $10/month for unlimited data, if applicable). To avoid charges, the account holder can terminate the student line by calling Sprint or dialing *2 from their mobile phone before the end of 12 months."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touche. Just read the whole agreement and there is no ETF after 12 months. Well at least add in the $36 activation fee in your calculation! That does apply.
lowandbehold said:
Touche. Just read the whole agreement and there is no ETF after 12 months. Well at least add in the $36 activation fee in your calculation! That does apply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I buy the Nexus 5 from Best Buy for this promotion, is it unlocked? I currently have AT&T, so could I switch Sim cards between AT&T and Sprint with the Nexus 5 whenever I want?
yeee707 said:
If I buy the Nexus 5 from Best Buy for this promotion, is it unlocked? I currently have AT&T, so could I switch Sim cards between AT&T and Sprint with the Nexus 5 whenever I want?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It is completely unlocked.
I've been doing the same calculation and am leaning toward making the jump, too. Here's the calculation I did (let me know if i'm missing something other than sales tax on the phone...):
Tmo $30 plan:
Phone: $350 (via google play)
Plan: ~33 (includes fees)
Per mo cost in 1st year (amortizing phone up front cost over 12 months): $62
Per mo cost in 2nd year (for just the service since phone was amortized above): $33
Sprint Free Student:
Phone: $450+$36 activation = $486 (via BB)
Plan: ~$15 (assuming i would need the $10 unlimited data. Also includes line fees/taxes)
Per mo cost in 1st year: $55
2nd year: $70, though I'm not really comparing this for the time being.
----------------
For the first year, this nets out to a savings of about $74 when you amortize the phone cost. For this vs Tmo you get: unlimited talk, >5GB data, and a phone in your hand via best buy instead of waiting 4-5 weeks; at a cost of needing to swap lines at the end of the contract if you aren't cool with paying full price for Sprint.
Assuming all of my numbers are right, the two deals are shockingly close to being equal for the first year. For me, I'd probably end up with some overages with the Tmo 100 minute cap, so I think I'm going to go for the Sprint deal for now, but this is hardly the no brainer I was expecting before I ran the numbers. The game changer is the Nexus 5 itself: dual compatibility with CDMA and GSM make it possible to swap between these two services without taking another device hit to the wallet. That flexibility is really nice.

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