The man from Hong Kong was caught out after airport officials realised something wasn’t right due to his weird walking posture and apparent joint stiffness, according to reports.
The officials checked the two shopping bags the man was carrying but after finding nothing they sent him through a metal detector where he set off a loud alarm according to reports.
Photos of the man with his pants down show the phones taped to him, a picture most commonly scene of drug smugglers.
The phones were then seized and are now being held by customs officials, according to local media.
His plan came undone at Futian Port, an immigration port of entry on the border between mainland China and Hong Kong.
Under Hong Kong law, smuggling can warrant a seven-year prison sentence and a fine as high as $2 million.
Initially China had to wait an extra month to buy an iPhone after it was launched everywhere else first, which resulted in smugglers bringing them in. The phones are now available for purchase in store but supplies of the latest models are usually limited.
