I keep seeing these handwavy responses about the “limitations” of ad blocking on iOS. But I don’t see any ads with 1Blocker installed.

Yeah it's generally fine by just using a Content Blocker app, but your argument about web extensions and adblocker is wrong. "I don’t see any ads" is handwavy response.

If the purpose of an ad blocker is to not see any ads and unless you can show me a web page that shows ads when I’m running 1Blocker that doesn’t with a supposedly superior solution then how is 1Blocker on iOS inferior?

I'm also fine with a Content Blocker app (I use local made one) like you. It rarely miss some ads (I don't know is it due to missed rules or API) but ignorable. So I'm not against for Apple/Google to introduce rule based API for efficiency. I just say Web Extensions on Safari seems to irrelevant for this topic. You can say "Content blocker is fine" instead. Technically it's less capable than what webRequests API can do, but it's almost fine for most users except like HNers.

How is it “irrelevant” when 1Blocker in fact has added a web extension for increase functionality?

Ah Ok I found 1Blocker now uses not only Content Blocker but also Extension's content script to do more blocking work. Thanks for correction. https://backstage.1blocker.com/how-to-block-youtube-ads-in-s...