The controversy surrounding the authenticity of the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Nigeria has taken a new turn after popular TikTok influencer, GehGeh, publicly expressed regret over spending millions of naira on what he now suspects may not be a genuine device.
In an emotional TikTok video posted on Saturday, GehGeh lamented that he felt deceived by the ongoing confusion about which iPhone 17 models in circulation are authentic.
“At this point, I don’t want to pretend anymore. I regret spending my millions on this phone. Every day I wake up, I cry inside,” he said.
The influencer expressed frustration that even experts could not easily distinguish between original and refurbished versions.
“You know the pain of buying something expensive and still needing to explain it’s original? Nobody knows which is real anymore,” he added.
‘I Bought It for the Prestige’
GehGeh admitted that the allure of status influenced his decision to purchase the phone.
“I bought it because when people see it, they know I’m holding millions in my hand,” he confessed, comparing the phone’s prestige to wealth and class.
However, his excitement has since turned to regret. Holding up his older iPhone 16, he said he preferred the older model’s comfort and usability.
“The 17 Pro Max is too big. It’s like carrying a television,” he joked.
The Root of the iPhone 17 Controversy
The debate over fake and modified iPhone 17s began trending on October 13, 2025, after businessman and tech investor Linus Williams Ifejika, popularly known as Blord, posted an unboxing video of what he called a “modified iPhone 17 Pro” priced between ₦400,000 and ₦450,000.
It was later discovered that the supposed iPhone 17 was a refurbished iPhone XR repackaged to mimic Apple’s latest flagship. The revelation sparked outrage and ridicule across social media platforms.
Social Media Reactions
On X (formerly Twitter), users mocked the situation.
One user, @edkel250, wrote: “You go buy iPhone 17 Pro Max for Nigeria, you go begin explain say e no be fake. Dem use that 17 tire person.”
Another, @TheManAfricano, added: “Nigeria must be the only country selling repackaged fake iPhone 17s. It says a lot.”
Instagram users also joined in the banter. @bestdeal_appliances joked, “This iPhone 17XR be like Labubu — price dey drop every day.”
Meanwhile, @chef_ivyjones1 teased, “Before next week, the phone go be ₦2,500.”
However, some commentators used the opportunity to caution buyers about chasing luxury at all costs.
“People always look for shortcuts. They want the latest tech but reject real prices. Then they complain online,” one user remarked.
Apple Silent Amid Chaos
Apple officially launched the iPhone 17 lineup — including the iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max — on September 9, 2025. The devices retail from $799 (₦1.21 million) for the base model to $1,199 (₦1.82 million) for the Pro Max.
Despite widespread reports of “modified” versions circulating in Nigeria, Apple has not released any statement addressing the issue.
For now, confusion continues to grow among Nigerian buyers — many, like GehGeh, left questioning whether their million-naira gadgets are truly worth the hype.
