I don’t think everything has to be ‘innovative’ today in a smart phone. Technology has reached a point where it’s mature enough where not everything is being completely remapped or introducing some ‘major’ change in smart phones. The biggest change coming being the triple lens camera, but it’s not just Apple that’s reaching a maturity point, it’s smart phones in general.
There will be a new design. Which means I'll be paying through the nose for a new 11 Pro MAX and everyone on the subway will know I have the latest iPhone. How's that for innovation?