'Want apology': Man ‘wins’ iPhone 17 Pro Max at office event, discovers tiles instead

man demands apology after ‘winning’ iPhone at company party only to find tiles inside the box. (Image credit: Weibo)

• Man wins fake iPhone at party, discovers tiles inside
• Jiang demands public apology after prank gift at year-end event
• Social media users criticize disappointing company party prizes

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A Chinese man’s joy quickly turned to disbelief after the iPhone 17 Pro Max he won at his company’s year-end party turned out to be tiles. Jiang Jiang was thrilled when his company announced him the winner of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the excitement soon faded when he discovered it was meant to be a prank.

Hailing from Guangdong in southern China, Jiang was overjoyed when the company’s head announced the prize along with the price at the party, and he decided to wait until he returned home before unboxing the gift for his wife.

A video shared by Jiang showed that the prize came with what appeared to be an authentic iPhone 17 Pro Max, a branded shopping bag and a printed invoice and receipt listing the price as 9,988 yuan, about US$1,450.

However, when he finally opened the box at home, he found two chocolates, three lollipops and a few tiles inside. Jiang said he had felt like the party’s top winner, but the moment quickly turned embarrassing, and he felt like a loser.

While many online users believed the actual iPhone had been replaced with the cheap items, Jiang clarified that it was simply his team manager’s prank. He added that where he works had not sanctioned the purchase of an iPhone.

He revealed the second prize was just a pillow.

“I expected the year of 2026 to have a lucky beginning, and they turned the year-end party into an April Fools’ Day event for me,” said Jiang.

Although he claimed he had no real need for the phone, he demanded a public apology from the manager for the prank.

While many social media users sympathised with Jiang, others shared stories about disappointing prizes at their own company or parties.

One user said, “A year-end party should be an occasion to celebrate the staff’s hard work, instead of kissing the boss’s behind.”

Another user wrote, “These prizes only show that the companies disrespect their employees and are poor.”

Year-end parties are common in China ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on February 17.