OneAssist, a Mumbai-based startup, launched Hawk Eye, an AI-powered diagnostics platform for used smartphones, in late 2025 to expand handset protection in India. The startup aims to tap into the underpenetrated protection market as premium smartphone prices rose 14% in Q1 2026, making device insurance a growing necessity. Hawk Eye evaluates smartphone health to enable post-purchase protection plans, addressing a market where only 6-8% of annual smartphone sales are currently covered.
Founded in 2011, OneAssist initially focused on wallet and device protection before expanding into after-sales services, insurance, and refurbished smartphones. Hawk Eye was trained on tens of thousands of smartphone images to assess device condition across brands and ages. The platform helps determine eligibility for protection coverage, allowing OneAssist to offer tailored insurance solutions beyond traditional point-of-sale protection, according to CEO Abhishek Maheshwari.
India’s smartphone market is shifting as unit sales slow but consumer spending increases, with premium devices driving demand for protection plans. Globally, the mobile handset protection industry is valued at $15.9 billion, yet India covers only about 10-12 million devices annually. OneAssist’s AI approach targets this gap by providing accurate diagnostics for used phones, a segment often overlooked by conventional insurance offerings, potentially setting a new standard for device protection in the country.
According to IDC’s May 2026 report, premium smartphone costs in India rose 14% in Q1 2026, underscoring the growing need for protection services. OneAssist’s Hawk Eye platform leverages AI to assess device health and expand coverage, aiming to increase penetration beyond the current 6-8% of annual smartphone sales protected in India.