Nigeria’s social media space is on fire after reports emerged that an iPhone XR was refurbished and sold as an iPhone 17 Pro Max for a staggering ₦450,000.
The controversy began when popular entrepreneur Blord showcased the supposed “iPhone 17 Pro Max,” which he claimed was created by transforming an old iPhone XR into the latest model through external upgrades — including a new casing, screen, and battery.
According to tech enthusiasts, while the phone’s internals remain those of the older XR, its appearance is tweaked to mimic Apple’s newest flagship, sparking outrage among Nigerians who described the move as “an old engine in a new body.”
Outspoken social media critic VeryDarkMan (VDM) waded into the issue, releasing a video alleging that the cloned devices are refurbished in China and shipped to Nigeria. He further claimed that the same product costs around ₦280,000 abroad, accusing Blord of inflating prices by ₦170,000.
The revelation has triggered heated debate online, with many describing the trend as a symptom of Nigeria’s obsession with status symbols rather than value.
One user, @RealChuno, called on Apple to intervene, tweeting:
“Apple needs to start arresting those converting iPhone XR to iPhone 17 Pro Max — that’s pure deception.”
Another user, Brian David, expressed disbelief:
“What’s the sense in buying an XR just to make it look like a 17 Pro Max? Who are you trying to impress?”
On Facebook, Smith Olawale blamed the craze on “poverty mentality and lack of self-contentment,” saying people go to extremes to “look rich online.”
Instagram user Anita Brown also weighed in, describing the act as “embarrassing and deceitful,” adding:
“Why pretend to use an iPhone 17 when you’re holding an XR? This fake life trend needs to stop.”
The incident has sparked broader discussions about consumer awareness, social pressure, and digital fraud in Nigeria’s booming smartphone market.