Nigerian social activist and influencer, VeryDarkMan (VDM), has uncovered a controversial operation in a Chinese factory where old iPhones are being refurbished and sold as new iPhone 17 Pro models.
In a viral video shared on his Instagram, VDM documented the process of transforming iPhone XR units into devices that mimic the latest iPhone 17 Pro.
The refurbishment includes replacing low-capacity batteries with new ones for approximately ₦2,000, cleaning the devices, and repackaging them with chargers and accessories to appear brand new.
“Now let’s break the table some more. Watch how they buy low battery life iPhones and boost the battery to 100% with just ₦2k. I hope you know those cords una dey call follow-come no be follow-come o,” VDM captioned the video.
This revelation adds fuel to an ongoing dispute between VDM and businessman Blord, who had previously showcased a similar “upgraded” iPhone XR, claiming it had been transformed into an iPhone 17 Pro. Blord asserted that the modification was carried out in China and matched the latest Apple flagship in both appearance and interface.
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In response to VDM’s exposé, Blord defended his actions, stating that the modifications were legitimate and challenging VDM to prove otherwise.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate online, with many Nigerians expressing concerns about the authenticity and ethics of such practices.
