I Regret Buying It, Influencer GehGeh Breaks Silence On iPhone 17 Saga.

GehGeh.

The growing controversy over the authenticity of the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Nigeria has taken another twist, as well-known TikTok influencer GehGeh expressed deep regret after spending millions of naira on the device amid confusion about which versions are genuine.

In a candid video shared on TikTok on Saturday, the influencer opened up about his disappointment, admitting he felt deceived by the conflicting claims surrounding the originality of the phone.

“At this point in time, I don’t want to pretend again. I regret why I carry my millions to buy this phone. Every day I wake up, I cry; I weep deep inside me.”

GehGeh complained that owners of the phone were now forced to defend their purchases, as even experts could not clearly distinguish between genuine iPhone 17 models and rebranded older ones.

“Now, you know the pain of buying something, you go come dey explain bro na the original be this one, because nobody knows the difference between the original one and the fake one.”

He said he bought the phone because of the prestige and image associated with owning it.

“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 stated, noting that the phone’s name alone carried status.

The influencer compared the new device with his previous one, admitting that he preferred using his old iPhone 16.

“But at this point, my brother, I regret buying the 17 Pro Max. The phone, it’s not even comfortable for hand,” he said, lifting his iPhone 16. “See how it’s flexible for my hand, even with pouch. But see the television that I carry for hand.”

The iPhone 17 controversy went viral on October 13, 2025, after businessman and tech investor Blord (Linus Williams Ifejika) posted a video of himself unboxing what he called a “modified iPhone 17 Pro” priced between ₦400,000 and ₦450,000.

However, it was later discovered that the supposed new phone was actually a refurbished iPhone XR redesigned to look like Apple’s latest flagship, leading to widespread confusion and outrage online.

GehGeh further expressed frustration that even after spending millions, there was still no clear proof that his version was genuine.

“Because even this one, it’s not even enough evidence say okay, now the original one be this one,” he said. “I will carry millions of Naira go buy something. Now, I go dey explain to people, I go carry my money go buy material things.”

On social media platform X, users had a field day reacting to the issue. One user, #edkel250, commented, “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, wrote, “Nigeria has to be the only country in the world selling these repackaged fake iPhone 17s. It really says a lot about us.”

The discussion also spread to Instagram, where users joked about the situation. #bestdeal_appliances commented, “This iPhone 17xr come be like Labubu everyday price dey reduce,” while #chef_ivyjones1 added, “Before next week, the phone go be 2,500.”

Another user, #diamondjearny, remarked, “If I don’t walk into Apple Store, I don’t want.”

Some commentators took the issue more seriously, saying it was a lesson for Nigerians chasing luxury goods at cheap prices. “People reject real prices because they want shortcuts,” one person wrote. “Then they complain online when the cheap version doesn’t match up.”

Apple officially introduced the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9, 2025, unveiling four models: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Prices vary depending on the vendor. According to Apple, official prices are as follows: iPhone 17 (base model) — $799 (approximately ₦1,210,485), iPhone 17 Air — $999, iPhone 17 Pro — $1,099 (around ₦1,664,385), and iPhone 17 Pro Max — $1,199 (around ₦1,815,285).

Despite the uproar, Apple Inc. has not issued any official statement on the reported existence of fake or “modified” iPhone 17 units in Nigeria. For now, the controversy continues — and many, like GehGeh, remain uncertain whether their million-naira gadgets are truly authentic.