Its incredible how microsoft got in loads of legal trouble for bundling IE with windows but Apple got away with banning alternative browsers.
There are viable alternatives to Apple devices while Windows absolutely dominated. However, I kinda wish that there were some antitrust laws around vertical integration.
Also, commercial browser vendors were much more of a thing back then, so there was someone to complain.
Windows was on 90+% of PCs from multiple manufacturers. iOS is on about 20% smartphones worldwide and all of them manufactured by Apple. I understand the percentage is higher in the USA, still not a monopoly IMHO.
My mobile web usage on iPhone is limited to HN strictly because of ads. I simply refuse to adopt patterns that cover my screen with them. When i do switch to Android, which i will, ad block will be the primary factor in my decision.
Have you tried installing Firefox focus and either using it as your mobile browser or setting it as the content blocker for Safari?
You can also try an ad blocking app like AdGuard.
Or set up something like PiHole at home (or VPS) and use a VPN to connect to your home network (or VPS).
iOS supports content blockers. Why not install AdGuard? I use default Safari on my iPhone and see zero ads.