depending on how fine you took it in the food processsor, the only difference is the crying.
what ‘unlocks the sweetness’ in onions is being cut or otherwise mashed very finely so it more or less melts into the food. (the finer it is, the more ‘melty’ it gets.) it’s similar to garlic and other aromatics in that respect; and it doesn’t really quite matter how you get there.
I would not suggest huffing the bowl when you’re done, though. Unless… you know. I won’t judge.