Honestly yes, This is something I have also noticed. On the flights I had with BA this year, up to 5 days before the flight the seats began filling like there's no tomorrow, it's really annoying and has made me buy seats!
(I cannot live without a window seat, especially during COVID when we haven't seen a plane cabin for ages haha)
As another post said, it is annoying when they offer it as a "free selection" but still give you a seat and nowhere else to move.
As for the post above, I agree, I doubt that flight will be an 32Q, rather just a bog standard 32N (A320neo)