This is what I thought - targeting iPad sales to the holiday season instead of iPhone
I think this makes sense. Early adopter / Apple enthusiasts aside, many people's phone renewal schedule is driven by the expiry of their carrier contract, which could really be at any time of the year. I suspect a much greater proportion of iPads are bought contract free (either wifi only or pay as you go data) so releasing the new model just in time for Christmas & Black Friday makes more sense