The phone’s specifications and hardware are unchanged. (Image Source: Instagram) Four models—the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the brand-new iPhone 17 Air—were presented by Apple last week as part of their much anticipated iPhone 17 series.
Today, September 19, the lineup officially launches in Indian stores, and tech enthusiasts are giddy with anticipation. However, an odd video that is making the rounds online has managed to steal the show as eager consumers wait in line for the newest gadgets.
In the video, a local phone dealer is seen turning an old iPhone into what looks to be the latest model, the iPhone 17. Yes, you read correctly. He transforms the outdated gadget into something akin to the iPhone 17 Pro Max with a few ingenious modifications.
The Transformation Within Minutes
A dealer is seen carrying an iPhone 12 in the video, which was posted on X (previously Twitter). He starts by applying a rear panel in a vivid orange hue that is similar to the “Cosmic Orange” version that was just released for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. After that, he installs a new frame around the camera and flashlight region that is made to meet the iPhone 17 series’ revised camera arrangement.
But the change is limited to the outside. The earlier iPhone 12’s specifications and hardware are still in place. The cellphone looks like the newest model thanks to the redesigned frame, however the flashlight is totally blocked. “Phone vendors are now converting iPhone 12 to iPhone 17 Pro Max,” is the caption that was posted with the video.
Phone vendors are now converting iPhone 12 to iPhone 17 pro max. pic.twitter.com/XEC7oo4vTC
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) September 15, 2025
Where Was This Filmed?
The video’s precise location is yet unknown. But one commenter even requested the chatbot Grok to name the store that was shown in the video.
The footage appears to be from an Indian mobile phone store, most likely in a city like Delhi or Kolkata where custom iPhone housing conversions are typical. Priya Mobile is one such store. It said, “I can not guarantee the precise location, but it is the vibe from the surroundings and practices.”
Internet Has A Field Day
Jokes, laughing, and pure awe at the vendor’s ingenious hack are abundant in the comments section of the video, which has now received over 17 million views.
“Wah,” one user said. “Indian jugaad at its finest,” one person remarked, while another said, “proper jugaad.”
“Apple’s R&D department is taking notes,” someone another joked.
One person said, “You receive iPhone 17 without a flashlight,” while another person also said, “That implies no more flash light, since it has been covered.”
Other lighthearted remarks were “Technologiaaaaaaaaa,” “RIP flash,” and “Bas 19-20 farak hai.”
Not everyone was impressed though. “Earlier, at least it looked like an iPhone, now it looks like a cheap copy of an iPhone 17 Pro Max,” a user remarked.
Would you give this iPhone jugaad makeover a try?
