It could be related to increased moderator diligence in culling Apple threads today. Previously, the front page would become clogged the days new models were announced. # of upvotes on single threads is not particularly useful absent more context/ information.

Likely also related to the fact that this is arguably the first time than an iPhone release has removed a feature. The highest top-level comment in this thread is about the removal of the headphone jack, and that subthread alone has 644 comments.