These two terms mean the same thing in 2022 and using the PR-friendly "partnership" when referring to a standard company takeover is a way to assuage customer fears, and try to ensure they all don't get scared and jump ship to a competitor.
"Don't worry everyone, this isn't a traditional corporate acquisition, it's a 'partnership'"
I read press releases every day that use "partnership" to try and hide the fact that the company is now under new ownership, and sometimes these "new owners" go to extremes to hide the fact they have taken over control.