[Xperia Z3 Accessories] chuckled:
Hello,

I have been really happy with my Z3 thus far (a week into owning it), but one thing that bothered me was that it didn't come with a pair of headphones with a working 3-button inline remote. I previously had a Samsung Galaxy S3 with the 3-buttons, so I was very used to it and wanted that functionality. However, neither the Samsung nor the Apple 3-button headphones I tried worked completely with my new phone - certain buttons worked, but none could use all three.

As I searched, I found that others had a similar issue - there are headphones that are said to work (such as HTC's E242) but I wasn't looking to spend any money. What I found may not be the most elegant solution (I didn't even look into apps) but it satisfied me so I figured I'd share! What I will describe does require some soldering.

My information came from here (new user, can't post link sorry! Google "Galaxy Nexus (and others) headset remote with media controls" - it's an Instructable). I won't reiterate here what is described there, beyond to say that I learned how the 3-button remotes work: each button "shorts" the microphone line to ground through a different resistor. The phone senses this resistance and responds accordingly.

Where I went from there was to test the headphones I had. I was limited in terms of equipment, so I had to make do by testing the resistors by connecting a current-limited power supply to the mic and ground lines and watch the voltage change as I pressed the buttons. I didn't calculate exact resistances but the range was enough for my purposes. What I discovered:

Responses:

-Galaxy S3 headphones:

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Play/pause button = volume up on Xperia

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Volume + button = volume up on Xperia

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Volume - button = volume down on Xperia

-Apple headphones:

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Play/pause button = play/pause on Xperia

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Volume + button = no response on Xperia

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Volume - button = no response on Xperia

-Xperia headphones

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Play/pause button = play/pause on Xperia

Resistances:

-Galaxy S3 headphones:

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Play/pause button = low

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Volume + button = slightly higher

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Volume - button = highest

-Apple headphones:

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Play/pause button = SHORT (0 ohm)

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Volume + button = low

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Volume - button = high

-Xperia headphones

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Play/pause button = SHORT (0 ohm)

Knowing this, I decided that the easiest thing to do would be remove the play/pause resistor on the Galaxy headphones and short it (I used wire, if you want to be cleaner you can use a zero-ohm resistor). I cracked open the remote on the headphones by running a knife along the seam. I then double-checked the resistors to make sure I was removing the correct one - it was the closest one to the corresponding button. I removed the resistor and soldered in a wire to replace it, et voila, all three buttons now work with my Xperia.

I did not think to photograph the process, but here are a couple of pictures which should explain it. It's not a complicated process, and if you're better at soldering than I am it might be downright easy! :p As is custom, if you decide to follow these steps please know you MAY ruin your headphones - I didn't, but I can't guarantee anything.

Crack open the headphones. I used an x-acto and started at the corners, running it along the seam and slowly working it open. The plastic feels pretty flimsy so I tried not to be too forceful.

[IMG="Step 1"]http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3205218&stc=1&d=1426080330[/IMG]

Remove resistor R1 by de-soldering. Sorry there's no picture of this step, but step 3's picture should help locate the resistor; it's also labeled pretty clearly. If you have a tweezer soldering iron it will help you a lot, as the resistor is a quite tiny package. Also, I bumped the plastic casing a couple of times and it melts about as easily as you'd expect, so a steady hand is good.

Where my soldering skill rears its ugly head. Once R1 is off, you want to short the two pads together. The clean way to do this is the use a zero-ohm resistor. I did not have one so I cut a tiny piece of wire and soldered it down in R1's place. I globbed on a fair bit of solder as you'll see, but hey, if it works I'm not too worried about it being pretty.

[IMG="Step 2 & 3"]http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3205206&stc=1&d=1426079980[/IMG]

Close everything back up, and make sure you orient the button cover the right way. I didn't bother gluing the case back together as the snap-fit seems tight enough for now.

At the end of all that, you should have a working three-button inline remote for your Xperia.

In theory, Apple headphones could also be modified to work but this would require modifying resistances (as opposed to shorting) which requires components and would be more difficult soldering.

Hope this helps, I'm happy to answer any questions as best I can!