“Asking for consent” doesnt automatically mean a pop up. “Asking for consent” isn’t even a technical term. It just means that personal needs to give permission. Exactly like an opt-in option does.
Moreover, popup is still technically a form of “opt-in”. “Opt-in” doesn’t mean the option is hidden. In fact plenty of sites use dark patterns to trick people into opting in.
In that case I don't think this would be an unpopular opinion - I can't think of anyone who would rather have a pop up thrown at you than having adverse side effects (tracking) hidden in some obscure setting you never see.
"Opt-in" is an option hidden somewhere in your "user preferences" page you have to actively go looking for.