Popular Nigerian influencer and media personality, Papaya Ex, has stirred massive reactions online after revealing that she boarded a flight from Nigeria to Dubai solely to purchase the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max, which she claimed cost her a staggering ₦4.5 million.
The socialite and brand influencer took to her verified social media pages to share her excitement about the extravagant purchase, posting photos and videos of her trip and the new gadget. She described the experience as both thrilling and unbelievable, jokingly asking her fans whether she was “crazy or simply living her best soft life.”
In her caption, Papaya explained that her decision to travel all the way to Dubai for the iPhone was not about showing off but a lesson learned from past experience. She disclosed that she once bought a supposedly new iPhone in Nigeria, only to later discover that it was a refurbished device. The phone malfunctioned during an important business trip to China, causing her to lose crucial data and money.
“I don’t regret spending that amount,” she said. “Once beaten, twice shy. Since that incident, I made up my mind — if it’s not straight from the Apple Store, count me out. I’d rather fly miles away than fall victim again.”
Massive crowd at Dubai Apple Store
Narrating her experience at the Apple Store, Papaya said she waited for nearly three hours before getting attended to due to the massive crowd of buyers. She humorously compared the long queue to a “visa renewal line,” noting that people were purchasing the new iPhone like it was free.
“People were buying like Apple was dashing them free akara,” she wrote in her post, laughing at how Nigerians in Dubai seemed unaffected by the heavy price tag. She added that despite the long wait and expensive cost, she was able to buy the 2TB variant of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, along with a screen protector, a case, and Apple AirPods — all of which she said were nearly sold out due to overwhelming demand.
She further revealed that the total expenses for the trip, including flight, accommodation, and shopping, exceeded ₦7 million, but she insisted it was “money well spent.”
Mixed reactions trail her post
Papaya’s revelation quickly went viral, sparking thousands of reactions from fans and critics alike. While many praised her for her confidence, hustle, and taste for luxury, others questioned her financial priorities and the need to travel abroad just to buy a smartphone.
In response to critics who said the trip was unnecessary, Papaya maintained that she believes in rewarding herself for her hard work, adding that life is too short not to enjoy one’s earnings. “Some of you save money only to impress people who don’t care about you. Me, I spend to make myself happy,” she wrote.
The influencer then humorously asked her followers whether she made a smart purchase or should have invested in a car instead, writing: “Should I have gone for a Toyota Camry, or did I just make the right move?”
Her question ignited even more debate online, with users sharing divided opinions about luxury spending, digital lifestyle trends, and the craze for the latest Apple products.
Watch the viral video of her Dubai shopping experience below…
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