The iPhone 17 Pro Max has been hit with fresh controversy after a Nigerian businessman and CEO of Eviable Motors alleged that the device is nothing more than an upgraded iPhone XR.

In a series of Instagram Story posts, the businessman explained that he pre-ordered his device directly from an Apple Store in the United States, confident he was getting the real deal.

However, he claimed he made a shocking discovery while trying to switch his business WhatsApp account back to a personal account.

During the phone verification process, instead of the device being recognized as an iPhone 17 Pro Max, WhatsApp reportedly identified it as an iPhone XR.

According to him, he has never owned or used an XR model in the past, which led him to a controversial conclusion.

"Apple actually upgraded an XR to a 17 Pro Max. China just copied it," he alleged.

His comments have since gone viral, fueling a wave of speculation and conspiracy theories across social media

See some comments and his posts below

@davidosh5__"Na Vdm he patronise"

@Premier_100__"Dem don run am street"

@tobimanish___"Delete this before blessing see am"

@omaajTech ___"Na scope him dey used, baba just buy 17 from blord used style dey drop format"

@monte_clairee__"Nahh, this one na money miss road oo, olodo ika"

“I just found out that all iPhone 17 Pro Max are XR. Apple actually upgraded iPhone XR to 17 Pro Max, China just copied it”

- Billionaire Businessman, CEO Eviable Motors 😂 pic.twitter.com/OyEq1nKkzy

— OLAMIDE 🌸💖 (@Olamide0fficial) October 27, 2025