Of course but if you compare a basic income system with a more complex and nuanced system (ala developed world today) – and set both to the same level of redistribution – would the basic income lead to a more equal society?
It removes sharp cliffs as benefits are removed, which encourages work. It provides people the freedom to actually meet their most pressing needs (and allows competition to meet those needs cheaply and effectively) rather than the set of needs we guess will be most pressing. Those who, per their situation and opportunities and values, have better things to do will be more able to work less, which might make room for those who more need the opportunity - examples might be one spouse staying home to watch children and keep house, or someone pursuing their art or music, or volunteering at any of the remaining important causes.
All that is aside from the basic dynamic of "taking more money from those above the mean and giving more money to those below it" inherently pushing a bit toward more equality.
