According to an earlier report by JPMorgan Chase, Apple will launch the iPhone 14 series (unnamed) in the second half of 2022, and the specification upgrade will be larger than the iPhone 13 series. The body of the high-end iPhone 14 Pro is expected to be made of titanium alloy and will be supplied exclusively by Hon Hai. In addition, other models in the iPhone 14 series will use aluminum alloy and stainless steel frames. The stainless steel frame is provided by Hon Hai and Jabouli. Lansi and Luxshare are also applying for certification; while the aluminum frames are supplied by Lansi and Jabli.
Titanium alloys are a mixture of vanadium, chromium, nickel and aluminum. The material is three to four times stronger than stainless steel, which could make the iPhone lighter. The previous Huawei Mate XS 2 hinge used a titanium alloy frame, which greatly reduced the weight of the phone.
An Apple patent from last year that provided a semi-gloss finish for metal may be used. The patent is a technology patent covering a process that combines etching with a chemical anodizing process to achieve the desired surface treatment. Apple says the former is better at hiding metal defects, while the latter offers better protection.