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Qi wireless charging and phone case thickness.

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Ben Little, Dec 10, 2016.

  1. Ben Little

    Ben Little Junior Member

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    I got a Samsung S6 with the built in Qi wireless charging. Now I am having trouble finding a case for the phone that isn't too thick to interfere with the connection but, is still fairly robust. I do a lot of hiking and don't want just a simple screen protector. I have tried a couple of otterboxes (too thick) and have a lifeproof case coming.
    With the otterboxes the yellow charging light comes on then starts blinking yellow and the phone never starts charging.
    I'm wondering if anyone else happens to have an S6 and what type of case they have that allows the wireless charging to connect?
     
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I read somewhere that the distance is 5mm from coil to coil (which would be NOT the surface or case). There has been discussion about QI charging on PriusChat, and I remember some comments about the PRIUS being fairly slow charging, with one mention that it wouldn't charge well through the thickness of a case. I'd been looking at changing phones at the time, but decided not to.

    Maybe you could try charging without a case on?

    Have you done a search in PRIUSCHAT?
     
  3. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    So when hiking put the phone in the case, when in the auto, take the phone out of the case, if it needs charging.
     
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  4. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    I have a Nexus 6, a bit old as phones go, but it charges well on the Qi charger. It can take fast-charge from plug, but gets very warm after being on the Qi, so I don't know if it's the heat from Qi or faster charging.
    FWIW I would keep your case on the phone and charge in car by another means than the Qi if it won't work through your phone case.

    Incidentally, the back of my phone is curved and slides around in the tray with lateral G forces. To get round this, I stuck some self adhesive neoprene hemispheres on the side of the Qi tray which helps a bit. Who said I need to take the corners slower???? :eek:
     
    #4 RCO, Dec 12, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2016
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  5. bill03060

    bill03060 Junior Member

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    I have a Versa case for my S6 Edge. Got it on Amazon. There's a flap that covers the front of the phone. I have a Samsung charging pad at work and a Samsung Fast Charging pad in the car. Both charge the phone without a problem.
     
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  6. Duanerh

    Duanerh Junior Member

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    I got an S6 a couple of days after the Prime. Charging worked great with the bare phone. Then I put on the Otterbox Defender and it doesn't work. I have determined that the case is just big enough to prevent the phone from settling all the way down onto the charger plate. The plate is inset a bit from the surrounding plastic. An insert to raise the plate up to the same level as the surround would solve the problem. I wonder when we'll see that?
     
  7. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    Would it charge in the case if you turned it around face down?
     
  8. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    After spending a few hundred on a smart phone I'm prepared to take a bit of care over it. I have a case for mine but don't use it any more. So far I've avoided throwing it down the WC or any other gymnastic manoeuvre for which it was never intended. ;) As to your problem, Duane take the case off in the car. If Toyota got rid of the surround wall, other phones would skid of the platform with any lateral G forces. :cry:
     
  9. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Categorically, NO. That will never work.
     
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  10. Duanerh

    Duanerh Junior Member

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    One doesn't easily remove the Defender. I have ordered a small Qi charger that will sit in the surround and plug into the USB port. I'll report on its efficacy.

    I placed the new Qi charge pad over the built-in one and plugged it into the USB port. It worked fine, though slower than a bare phone on the built-in pad. I can also connect the new pad to the power port and that will probably speed it up. Haven't had time for a thorough test.
     
    #10 Duanerh, Dec 16, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2016
  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I'd suspect it wouldn't - the USB DC output is minimal.
     
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  12. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Each to his own, of course. But I'm thinking you could take care of your 'valuable' device without wrapping it up in armour. It would have precluded your present problem and saved you extra cash. Then again if can is no problem, trade in your prime for a car to suit your phone and it's case! ;)
     
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  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I have not looked at the Prime manual, but you cannot use the USB port for charging on. Gen 4 Prius. There is only sufficient current for use thumb drives. There is already a thread discussing this and the o/p ended up getting a charger that plugs into the lighter socket.
    See USB port not charging my phone | PriusChat
     
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  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Another way of stating the issue is which would you rather replace? Your phone case or the car?
     
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  15. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

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    Inside the house I use a Koolpad qi charger which works great. I can put a case and a thin magazine between my devices and the pad. In the Prius I can only have a thin case and it must be positioned perfectly. Also, the Koolpad is allot faster. I could just stick a Koolpad with double sided tape and be done with it.
     
  16. Duanerh

    Duanerh Junior Member

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    The add-on Qi charge pad cost less than the case, so it's all good.
     
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  17. Philthunder

    Philthunder Member

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    I am using the Samsung S6 with Shieldon leather wrap round case, no problems. That also works with my Choetech Qi charger though it needs careful placing.
     
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  18. Tylerzmom

    Tylerzmom New Member

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    Have a Galaxy S6 Sport with an Otter Box cover. With the cover it is hit and miss for charging, and taking the cover off the phone gets very hot very fast. Is anyone else experiencing this?
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! no idea, but all the best.(y)
     
  20. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    and welcome to Prius Chat. I have a Nexus 6 phablet that gets pretty hot when Qi charging on the pad. I suspect it's normal as I've never had a problem with it (touch wood) and my phone has been upgraded to Android 7.0 from it's original Android 5. Will never root it because stock "A" suits me fine.

    Bottom line: I wouldn't worry about the heat on Qi of you want to use that pad. Of course, there's always USB from the power outlet (not the USB socket, that's just to connect to the head unit) direct to your phone if you still have doubts. All the best. (y)