Nigerian TikTok influencer GehGeh has expressed regret over buying the iPhone 17 Pro Max, saying the ongoing confusion about fake versions in Nigeria has left him feeling deceived.
In a viral TikTok video on Saturday, the content creator said he spent millions of naira on the device but now wishes he had not.
“At this point in time, I don’t want to pretend again. 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 said buyers now struggle to prove their phones are genuine since even tech experts cannot easily tell the difference between original and modified versions.
“You know the pain of buying something and then you go come dey explain say na original, because nobody knows the difference,” he added.
He admitted that he bought the phone for its prestige but now finds it uncomfortable to use.
“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. But my brother, I regret buying the 17 Pro Max. The phone no even comfortable for hand,” he said, showing his older iPhone 16 and calling it more flexible.
The iPhone 17 debate began trending on October 13 after businessman and tech investor Blord posted a video unboxing what he called a “modified iPhone 17 Pro” priced between ₦400,000 and ₦450,000. It was later revealed to be a refurbished iPhone XR rebranded to look like Apple’s latest model, sparking outrage online.
Reacting to the controversy, many Nigerians shared jokes and warnings across social media.
On X, a user named edkel250 wrote, “You go buy iPhone 17 Pro Max for Nigeria and you go begin explain say nor be fake.” Another, TheManAfricano, said, “Nigeria has to be the only country in the world selling these repackaged fake iPhone 17s.”
Instagram users also joined the trend, with bestdeal_appliances joking, “This iPhone 17xr come be like Labubu, everyday price dey reduce,” and chef_ivyjones1 adding, “Before next week, the phone go be 2,500.”
Others warned buyers against chasing luxury trends. One user commented, “People reject real prices because they want shortcuts. Then they complain when the cheap version doesn’t match up.”
Apple officially launched the iPhone 17 series on September 9, 2025, including the iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, with prices starting at $799 (around ₦1.2 million).
Despite the online uproar, Apple has not issued any statement about the alleged presence of fake iPhone 17 models in Nigeria.
