Appletell reviews StealthArmor for iPhone

Provides: Protection from scratches and scuffs
Developer: Fusion of Ideas
Minimum Requirements: iPhone 3G or 3GS
Price: $20 to $55 (varies by design)
Availability: Now

I’ve become a fan of iPhone skins, preferring them over standard cases. I like that they provide basic scratch/scuff protection without adding bulk. And with most, I can go ahead and throw a case over the phone or drop it in a holster when needed. The latest is Fusion of Ideas’ StealthArmor, and I have to say it’s one of the more unique entries I’ve tried.

Fusion of Ideas will tell you this skin technology was originally developed to protect car exteriors during automobile races. I don’t care about that. I don’t care if it’s car hoods, helicopter blades, or mattresses used by NASA. What I care about is how it works on my iPhone, which—unless my life goes horribly awry—will never see the kind of punishment racing cars, helicopter blades and NASA bedding apparently gets.

The first thing you’ll notice about the StealthArmor is the design. Some of them look pretty cool, such as the Carbon Edition (my test model) and Brushed Aluminum. There are also Matte Black and Matte Clear editions, as well as an odd-looking Wood Grain edition. I’m not a fan of fake wood, but I’ll confess that the idea of a wooden iPhone sounds oddly intriguing.

You’ll then notice that unlike most skins, the StealthArmor contains little bits that wrap around the volume and silencer buttons. They’re also cut at the corners to prevent folds and bumps at the curves of your iPhone. I had two issues with this. First, they didn’t completely work. Second, one of these areas tore when I was removing the StealthArmor from its backing. Not a good way to begin installation.

Speaking of installation, unlike the skins you’re now used to, the StealthArmor requires two steps. First, aligning it initially at the volume buttons, you apply the skin to your iPhone. Simple enough. I’m used to using the camera opening as the starting point, but this worked fine here—perfect alignment on the first try.

But the edges didn’t really lie properly on the phone, and there was excessive bunching at the corners. To take care of this, you’re supposed to apply heat from a hair dryer to smooth things out. Fusion of Ideas says this won’t damage your iPhone. It didn’t damage mine. In fact, it worked just as they said. As the skin heated it up, it seemed to soften at the edges and corners. Most of the bunching disappeared, remaining only in two corners (see before (top) and after (bottom) photo below). It is less noticeable than before I applied the heat, however, and you can barely tell where I tore it.

When done, the skin sits in place quite nicely. Fusion of Ideas says it can be easily removed without leaving residue behind, but I’m not going to do that just yet. I like the way this looks, and plan to keep it there a while longer (at least until I get another skin review request).

The Carbon Edition has a nice shine and texture to it. It looks natural on my black iPhone 3G. If I wanted to, I could’ve applied the Appletell monogramed version Fusion of Ideas sent with it, but I like the StealthArmor in uninterrupted black. If you’re interested in getting one with your company logo on it, though, the option is there.

Depending upon which model you get, the StealthArmor either falls right in line with other skins or can double their price. I don’t know that the extra toughness is warranted for typical iPhone use, so whether you go with this or something else will really come down to the design. Do you want a professional looking skin or something with your favorite band, sports team or underground artist’s artwork on it. I replaced my favorite hockey team with the StealthArmor, and I don’t regret the decision.

Of course, that wouldn’t be the case if we’d made the playoffs this year.

Appletell Rating:

Buy StealthArmor for iPhone