Amkette EvoFox Deck review

Amkette EvoFox Deck price in India (as reviewed): Rs 2,999

Compact and portable design

It uses a retractable design and can be used with phones of various sizes. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

The EvoFox Deck is a sliding controller that lets you slot your phone into it, emulating the look and feel of a traditional handheld console like the Nintendo Switch. The device features a large, flexible plate in the middle allowing it to stretch to fit most phones without any issues. The flexible part of the controller is designed to be more rigid, securely locking the phone in place, while the rubberised finish adds extra protection. This makes the EvoFox Deck solid and stable when folded. I tested my iPhone 15 Pro (review) and CMF Phone 1 (review) with the EvoFox Deck, both of which have screens over 6 inches and fit perfectly, even with a case.

Right from the start, the EvoFox Deck’s in-hand feel impressed me. It’s lightweight, and even after extended play sessions, the controller never felt heavy, which is a significant plus. The unit has a matte black finish, offering a clean and simple design. The grips do not leave fingerprints, and I didn’t notice any smudge marks during testing. And the customisable RGB rings around the joysticks give the controller a classic gaming PC look without going overboard The mobile controller isn’t meant to mimic the PlayStation 5’s (review) DualSense controller, and frankly, I wasn’t expecting it to. That being said, the controller still feels premium.

This is how it looks in comparison to other popular handheld gaming consoles. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

The Deck has two analogue sticks, one on each end of the controller. While they have a nice feel, they are not quite comparable to the Switch’s Joy-Cons. They are not stiff, and the size is great too. It’s clear that the controller is designed for mobile and cloud gaming. A D-pad is included on the left side of the controller, which is responsive and satisfying to press. The controller also features a standard A, B, X, and Y button layout on the top right. These buttons feel clicky and are enjoyable to press. The shoulder buttons and triggers also feel good. Four additional buttons are located on the front of the controller: a start button, a select button, a key map button, and a Dojo button, which launches the app. In addition to all the input buttons, the device also has a USB-C port for charging the controller.

The app support is an added bonus

Nintendo Switch (top) next to EvoFox Deck. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

The EvoFox Deck supports a free app called Dojo — a gaming dashboard that lets you launch games on your phone — which offers several advantages. The interface is neat, and finding downloaded games isn’t an issue. One major benefit is that it recommends which games to play and highlights the most popular ones based on different genres. The app itself looks and feels slick, with games displayed as banners rather than app icons, making it feel more than just a launcher.

You also have access to cloud gaming services. While you can go directly to the Google Play Store to download games, the app recommends over 450 games compatible with the controller. The same applies to iOS. It’s not mandatory to use the app, but it’s available. Although EvoFox states that Dojo is compatible with both Android and iOS, the app works best on Android. For example, the Android version of the app supports key map presets for popular games like first-person shooters, which you can easily download from inside the app. However, a notable drawback is that there is no way to reprogram the shoulder buttons, which would have been a useful feature.

Addictive gameplay

The Deck is a great accessory, given the price and what it brings to the market. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

I tested the EvoFox Deck with native games on both Android and iOS that support controllers. I played racing games, FPS, fighting games, and more. What impressed me the most was the quality of the controller. Amkette hasn’t skimped on the basics. The grip feels just like using a traditional controller.

The good thing is that the Deck doesn’t feel shrunken like the cheaply-made mobile controllers I’ve used in the past. With the Deck, I noticed I can play games for longer periods. The thumbsticks have a nice grip, and the triggers offer precise feedback. It feels completely natural to play mobile games on the EvoFox Deck, especially for someone who’s been using traditional controllers since childhood. I have smaller hands and shorter fingers, so this controller works for me.
One concern I had with the EvoFox Deck was the potential battery drain on my smartphone, even though the controller has its built-in battery. However, after an hour of gaming, I barely noticed a dent in my CMF Phone 1’s battery life, which was surprising given its efficiency. Additionally, the controller features an external USB-C port that can be used for pass-through charging.

Should you buy the EvoFox Deck controller?

The Deck is an inexpensive controller, if you care about mobile gaming. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

Some might argue that it isn’t necessary to buy a controller to play mobile games — I have a different opinion. If you want a deep experience and want to enjoy games on a smartphone to the fullest, I highly recommend getting a controller. At Rs 2,999, you get a superb controller compatible with both Android smartphones and iPhones. That’s not pricey at all, especially when similar controllers from brands like Razer and Backbone cost upwards of Rs 10,000. All in all, the EvoFox Deck is built solidly and adds an extra way to play. I’d love to see what Amkette does next and how it plans to supercharge gaming.