The ongoing confusion over the authenticity of the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Nigeria has taken a dramatic twist, as popular TikTok creator GehGeh publicly expressed regret over spending millions of naira on the device, amid growing fears that fake and repackaged versions have infiltrated the market.
In an emotional TikTok video posted on Saturday, the influencer did not hold back his frustration.
“I regret why I carry my millions go buy this phone. Every day I wake up, I cry, I weep deep inside me,” he said.
GehGeh lamented that many buyers like himself are now left defending their purchases, unable to tell whether they bought a genuine Apple product or a cleverly repackaged older model.
“You go buy something finish, you go come dey explain say na original. Even experts no fit talk true again,” he added.
The content creator said he bought the phone because of its perceived luxury value, not knowing it would turn into a source of ridicule and doubt.
“The reason why I buy this phone is because as you see am for my hand, you go know say bro — na millions dey him hand,” he said.
Comparing his flashy iPhone 17 to his older iPhone 16, GehGeh admitted he preferred the older model’s comfort and size.
“This iPhone 17 Pro Max just be like television. It’s not even comfortable to hold. My iPhone 16 dey flex better for hand.”
The controversy began trending on October 13, 2025, after tech investor Blord (Linus Williams Ifejika) shared an unboxing video of what he described as a “modified iPhone 17 Pro” — which later turned out to be a refurbished iPhone XR disguised as Apple’s latest model. The revelation shocked many and sparked a frenzy online.
On social media, reactions poured in.
On X (formerly Twitter), #edkel250 wrote: “You go buy iPhone 17 Pro Max for Nigeria and you go begin explain say nor be fake. Dem use that 17 Pro Max tire person.”
Another user, #TheManAfricano, added: “Nigeria has to be the only country in the world selling these repackaged fake iPhone 17s.”
On Instagram, users also joined in the banter.
#bestdeal_appliances quipped, “This iPhone 17xr come be like Labubu — everyday the price dey reduce.”
#diamondjearny wrote: “If I don’t walk into Apple Store, I don’t want.”
Some commentators were more serious, pointing out the dangers of chasing trends without verifying sources. “People reject real prices because they want shortcuts. Then they complain online when the cheap version doesn’t match up,” one post read.
Apple officially launched the iPhone 17 series on September 9, 2025, with global prices for the Pro Max model starting at $1,199 (about ₦1.8 million). In Nigeria, however, the price ranges wildly, with some units reportedly being sold for as low as ₦450,000, raising red flags among tech enthusiasts.
So far, Apple Inc. has not issued any official comment regarding the sale of fake or modified iPhone 17s in Nigeria.
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