Portable Blasts Nigerians Flaunting Fake iPhone 17s: “You Dey Use iPhone 17, You No Get 4 Tyres!”
Nigerian street-hop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has once again stirred up social media with a fiery outburst — this time targeting Nigerians who prioritize luxury gadgets over basic necessities.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the controversial artist criticized those flaunting the so-called iPhone 17 — many of which are reportedly counterfeit — while lacking essentials such as a car, stable housing, or financial stability.
“You dey use iPhone 17, you no get 4 tyres, you go soon tire,” Portable said.
“Una don bring thief, una don bring Chinese. They want to dupe you, una dey spoil people business.”
His comments come amid reports of fake or modified iPhones circulating in Nigeria, as some vendors have allegedly rebranded older iPhone models to look like the newly released iPhone 17, preying on people desperate to appear trendy online.
💭 Opinion: Portable’s Harsh Words, But a Fair Point
As dramatic as Portable’s delivery often is, there’s a kernel of truth in his rant. In an era where social validation is currency, many young Nigerians feel pressured to keep up appearances — even if it means living beyond their means.
The iPhone has long been a status symbol, representing success, class, and connection to global trends. But what happens when image takes precedence over substance? Portable’s frustration taps into a deeper societal issue — the obsession with looking rich instead of being stable.
Of course, his tone might ruffle feathers, but his message lands where it should: financial responsibility matters more than social media perception. Owning the latest phone while struggling with rent or transport isn’t a flex — it’s a reflection of misplaced priorities.
Still, the blame isn’t solely on the buyers. The culture of “show off or fade out” that dominates social media pushes many to chase luxury symbols instead of long-term comfort. Portable, in his usual chaotic wisdom, just happened to say it loud enough for everyone to hear.
