Yep, first thing I do whenever I add an account to Gmail is disable inbox sorting — presto, zero ads. This has been going on for years, but if OP just made a new Gmail account for the first time since 2013ish, it could be the first time they’ve seen the ads. Feels bad.
Yeah, wtf were they thinking when they reversed the sides of the screen the photo gallery and front/back camera switch were on. It’s been the same since my Pixel 1. Why?!