I'M SORRY I BOUGHT IT. INFLUENCER GHEGHE DISCUSSES THE DRAMA OF THE IPHONE 17.

The News Proper:

Popular TikTok content creator GehGeh expressed profound regret over spending millions of naira on the iPhone 17 Pro Max amid growing uncertainty about which models are authentic, adding a dramatic twist to the ongoing controversy over the device's authenticity in Nigeria.

The influencer expressed his dissatisfaction in a moving video that was uploaded to TikTok on Saturday, claiming that he felt duped by the divergent opinions regarding the phone's uniqueness.

"I regret carrying my millions to purchase this phone, and I don't want to pretend again at this time. I cry and weep inside of me every day when I wake up.

GehGeh bemoaned the fact that owners now had to defend their purchases because even experts were unable to distinguish between genuine iPhone 17s and rebranded older models.

"Now that you understand the agony of purchasing something, you're going to come explain, bro, that the original is this one, since no one can tell the difference between the real one and the fake."

He clarified that the phone's apparent prestige was the primary factor in his decision to purchase it.

"I bought this phone because, as you can see, it fits my hand," he said, adding that the name alone was powerful. "You go know say, bro—na millions dey him hand."

The influencer then acknowledged that he preferred the comfort of his old iPhone 16 over his new purchase after comparing the two devices.

However, I now regret purchasing the 17 Pro Max, my brother. He raised his older iPhone 16 and remarked, "The phone isn't even comfortable for the hand." Even with the pouch, you can see how flexible it is for my hand. However, notice the TV I'm holding in my hand.

Businessman and tech investor Blord (Linus Williams Ifejika) posted a video unboxing what he called a "modified iPhone 17 Pro" that cost between ₦400,000 and ₦450,000 on October 13, 2025, sparking the start of the iPhone 17 controversy.

But when it turned out to be a reconditioned iPhone XR disguised to resemble Apple's newest flagship, social media was inundated with confusion and indignation.

Geh Geh went on to express his frustration that even after spending millions, there was still no concrete proof that his version was authentic.

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

On X, users had a field day reacting to the saga. #edkel250 wrote, “You go buy iPhone 17 Pro Max for Nigeria, and you go begin explaining that it is not fake. They use that 17 Pro Max tire person.”

Another, #TheManAfricano, added, “Nigeria has to be the only country in the world selling these repackaged fake iPhone 17s. It really says a lot about us.”

Geh Geh went on to express his frustration that even after spending millions, there was still no concrete proof that his version was authentic.

“Because even this one, it’s not even enough evidence to 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 X, users had a field day reacting to the saga. #edkel250 wrote, “You go buy an iPhone 17 Pro Max for Nigeria, and you go begin to explain that it is not fake. They use that 17 Pro Max tire person.”

Another, #TheManAfricano, added, “Nigeria has to be the only country in the world selling these repackaged fake iPhone 17s. It really says a lot about us.”

The banter extended to Instagram, where users took turns to poke fun at the situation. #bestdeal_appliances joked, “This iPhone 17xr comes to be like Labubu; every day price reduces,” while #chef_ivyjones1 teased, “Before next week, the phone go be 2,500.”

Another, #diamondjearny, quipped, “If I don’t walk into an Apple Store, I don’t want it.”

Others weighed in more seriously, calling it a lesson for Nigerian buyers chasing luxury trends. “People reject real prices because they want shortcuts,” one user wrote. “Then they complain online when the cheap version doesn’t match up.”

The official launch of the iPhone 17 series took place on September 9, 2025, when Apple unveiled the new lineup—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

However, prices differ depending on the vendor. According to Apple, the official prices for the iPhone 17 series 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),

 iPhone 17 Pro Max—$1,199 (around ₦1,815,285)

Apple Inc. has not released a statement regarding the purported existence of counterfeit or "modified" iPhone 17 models in Nigeria, despite the online commotion. Many people, like Geh Geh, are left wondering if their million-naira gadgets are really what they seem as the debate continues.