Nigerian influencer and content creator, Papaya Ex, has caused a stir on social media after revealing that she flew from Nigeria to Dubai just to purchase the new iPhone 17 Pro Max, which reportedly cost her a jaw-dropping ₦4.5 million.
Sharing her excitement online, Papaya Ex confessed she couldn’t believe she made the trip solely for a phone, asking fans whether she was “crazy or just living her best life.”
The influencer explained that her decision to buy directly from an official Apple Store came after a bad experience purchasing a refurbished iPhone in Nigeria, which later malfunctioned during a business trip to China, causing her both data and financial losses.
“I don’t blame myself at all. Once beaten, twice shy. Since then, if it’s not from an Apple store, count me out,” she wrote.
Papaya described the Dubai Apple Store as being packed with buyers, joking that the crowd looked like “a visa renewal queue.” Despite waiting three hours, she said Nigerians were still buying the new iPhone “like Apple was sharing free akara.”
According to her, accessories like phone cases were sold out due to high demand, but she eventually got her hands on the 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max, a screen guard, protective case, and a pair of Apple AirPods.
The influencer humorously questioned whether she made the right decision, writing:
“Should I have gone for a Camry, or did I make the right move?”
Her revelation has since ignited mixed reactions online. While some fans applauded her for prioritising quality and avoiding fake products, others criticised the decision as an example of luxury spending and tech obsession among Nigerian influencers.
Papaya shares how she flew all the way from Nigeria to Dubai just to buy the iPhone 17 pro max for ₦4.5 million. pic.twitter.com/jxsU6k1ZVM
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) October 19, 2025
