I didn't say they're all equal, I said they're relative.
It's not just that they're awakened, it's that they share the exact same awakening.
It's like when Goku had SSJ after defeating Frieza and Vegeta came and unlocked SSJ. Goku was already stronger than Vegeta but now that they share the exact same form, they become relative to each other through portrayal.
Or it's like Luffy unlocking Sky-splitting ACoC. It didn't make him equal to Kaido but it certainly makes him relative to other sky-splitters. When you awaken the exact same power-up, that is a form of portrayal.