Tracker Control on Android works well for system-wide tracker and ad blocking, and you can configure custom blocking rules per-app. Works without root by using a VPN profile (but no data leaves your device via the VPN, it just routes the traffic through this app).
Set your DNS servers to dns.adguard-dns.com (Settings > search for DNS). Also you should install the DDG app and enable App Tracking Protection. You don't actually have to use the browser portion of the app for it to work. After doing these two things, ads and trackers will be blocked in every app.
Go down to the configure manually option and follow the instructions for iPhone.
I think next guard is also supposed to be decent, but they won't let you use it without an account.
The nice thing about the dns approach is it works for more than just your web browser. There's a bunch of Android games that are essentially unplayable without an adblocking dns.
As a disclaimer, a bunch of sites are ramping up requiring enabling ads or they won't let you load the content. I'm ok with just hitting back and not viewing those sites, but my MIL just asked for help removing the ad guard dns because her news sites wouldn't let her in.
That is a free service and I really like it make sure you read their website basically when you sign up which requires no login it'll give you a unique dns entry to use as your DNS
The reason I like this one is it's not just ad blocking it fixing a bunch of anti-tracking and other features
At least, you can change your DNS to one who blocks ads. It's not as efficient as uBlock origin and system wide on Android. But, it's better than nothing.
Definitely look into Next DNS. There are also some Safari extensions that can block ads.
I also suggest buying refurbished unlocked phones in the future instead of going for the carrier freebies which you can see are scams designed to lock you into paying for their overpriced service each month for over a year.
As a quick and easy alternative, you can set it to automatically open sites in reader mode. I’ve been trying that lately and it definitely helps although also mixed results where sites block part of their content from reader mode.
With automatic reader mode, I click to hide reader much less often than I formerly clicked to enable it
To set a DNS based adblock, it is easy to setup, opensource, and free.
I have been on Android for a long time but I still have an old iPhone that works fine for reading articles. Bonus, there is no Sim in it so no one can call me. It's my drinking coffee device.