[Galaxy Note 3 Accessories] SGBE:
Hi Guys,

I was one of the users who investigated and found the Note 2 has the QI pins present, but not enabled by the TMO processor variant. Regardless, there was a mod made for it and I later released an updated process that turned out to be a little easier.

This morning, I decided to investigate the N3 and I can confirm (as it has been discussed here already) the TMO Note 3 does in fact have the QI wireless charging enabled out of the box. However, as discussed, that means nothing if there is no receiving pad in the rear casing area to convert the inductance signal to the required 5VDC feed. As shown in this thread, you can use a modified Note II receiving pad, but I found the stock setup to be a little bulky and the rear case seems somewhat "humped". So out came the soldering iron, siccors, and some patience.

First, regarding the pins above and to the side of the battery, a few of the observations already made by others are correct -

(2) pins above the battery = NFC

(2) of the (3) pins to the left of the battery = QI Wireless charging [ pin1= + / pin2= - ]

(The 3rd pin appears to be an external current monitoring/future use pin)

With that out of the way, let's rip apart a stock N2 QI pad! I will use a 5VDC 1000ma N2 pad, which is rather thick at 1.75mm. But, with the two sides removed (hot blow-dryer/heat gun is your friend), the height is reduce to near 1mm. (tip - carefully cut/save a 3mm x 5mm section of the foam padding as we will use that later).

Since we have to "flip" the layout of the QI pad, I proceeded to do the following in order to keep by the inductance coil as close as possible to the rear casing surface and remove the thick hump cause by folding the contact pads copper trace over (proceed only if you have experience with a soldering iron and electronics in general):

A. Cut a horizontal slit in the protective laminate layer just below the area the oval inductor sits on (and above the little copper PCB area) so the oval inductor can be CAREFULLY slid and flipped to the opposite side without messing up to two leads.

B. Cut off the pin contacts laminate section so it can be flipped as well and soldered back together(now facing the opposite direction and on the top/left side).

C. Trim the remaining surface area around the pad perimeter to insure the pad stays within the battery cavity section of the rear casing. A Quick placement/fit test on the battery side is done to insure all is well.

Once confirmed functional, the pad circuitry can be properly placed on the rear cover plate and secured using one of the previously used cover-stickers (the one without the padding). If needed, place that 3mm x 5mm foam cushion you cut earlier under the area of the pin contacts to help keep a secure connection when the casing cover plate is reattached.

The final test is to see how everything does after the final assembly is complete. I use the Samsung OEM wireless charger, but any QI standard charger should be fine.:D

Lastly, it seems the stock kernel limits the wireless charge current to 640-650mA, which is expected. Hopefully, when a custom kernel is released, the current limiting will be removed and allow it to go up to 990-1000mA with this specific pad like the Saber variant did for the Note 2.

Hope this helps and sorry if I missed anything or wasn't as detailed as I usually am. It is a nice Sunday here in San Diego and I should be outside with the family!

Cheers,

Scott