Buying chinese cellphone?

Comparison of specification page http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_note_pro-6952.php and list of Canadian cell phone operators https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_of_the_Americas#Canada indicates you should be able to use it for 4G with Rogers or Bell.

Be forewarned. Many Chinese made phones sold to visitors come preloaded with spyware. Chinese Androis Smartphone Comes With Spyware . There are many articles on the subject. (The following is for another phone, so there is a small chance it does not apply to you. But if you had to bet…)

” The trojan camouflages as the Google Play Store, so it enables Chinese Company to secretly install malicious apps, which creates the whole spectrum of abuse.

The nasty Spyware runs in the background and has capability to steal personal information, copy users’ data, record calls automatically with unlimited time and send costly SMS to premium services, thereby sending all the stolen information to an anonymous server based in China.

The malware is also capable to activate the microphone on users’ smartphone at any time in order to turn users’ smartphone into a bugging device that allows hackers to hear anything you are saying near by the phone.

“The spy function is invisible to the user and cannot be deactivated,” reads the blog post published yesterday. “

“REMOVAL OF THE TROJAN NOT POSSIBLE
In addition, the malicious software allow preventing security updates from being downloaded and one can not disable the program. “The program also blocks the installation of security updates,” claimed G Data.

Moreover, it is not possible to uninstall the trojan because it is embedded in the firmware of the Star-phone device.”

And sometimes we download the spyware ourselves. Android Flashlight Apps Might Be Spying On You.

500 million phones might be affected.
Look for a flashlight app that is under 100kB. Softwarte that is over 1 MB is doing a lot more than just turning on a light!

i dont know where you’ve heard the info about spywares…but it is not true :/ if you dont believe me go to china and see by yourself the reality…which is not what medias claim it is…anyways yes sometimes phones come with some ads malware but no trojan or such thing. Finally, xiao mi is right now the most selling smartphone in Asia so yes, it is safe…

oh, the so called fake apps…uts because in china everyone is allowed to upload apps so yeah…but i mean its quite obvious that it is a fake :/ thx for the warning tho :)

I included some source links in my previous answers.

Gdata – Android Smartphone shipped with spyware is just one. That article is about the N9500 by Star. A quick search will find many more.
“G DATA discovers dangerous computer malware in firmware of Android device
For the first time ever, the experts at the German security vendor have discovered a smartphone that comes with extensive spyware straight from the factory. The malware is disguised as the Google Play Store and is part of the pre-installed Android apps. The spyware runs in the background and cannot be detected by users. Unbeknownst to the user, the smartphone sends personal data to a server located in China and is able to covertly install additional applications.

This makes it possible to retrieve personal data, intercept calls and online banking data, read emails and text messages or control the camera and microphone remotely. The affected model “N9500” is produced by the Chinese manufacturer Star and looks very similar to a smartphone from a well-known manufacturer. It is not possible to remove the manipulated app and the spyware since they are integrated into the firmware. Large online retailers are still selling the Android device at prices ranging from 130 to 165 euros and distributing it across Europe.”

“The price of the mobile device is supposed to attract users -
The cheap price ranging from 130 to 165 euros comes as a surprise, considering the high technological standard of the device. The quad-core smartphone is supplied with extensive accessories, such as a second battery, car charging adapter and second cover. Comparable devices from well-known brands cost almost three times that much.
The security experts at G DATA think that the low price of the mobile device is made possible by the subsequent selling of data records stolen from the smartphone owner. “In general, particularly cheap offers online that seem tempting should make buyers suspicious. There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” advises Christian Geschkat.”

I’d be cautious. But there really isn’t much you can do about it.