Japanese Sharp reached a deal with Samsung, under which Samsung is allowed to purchase 3% stake in Sharp for 10.3 billion yen (US$110 million; US$1 = 93.57 yen), according to Sharp's announcement on 6 March. The investment will make Samsung the largest foreign enterprise shareholder of Sharp other than Qualcomm. As part of the deal, Samsung will secure a long-term reliable supply of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panels from Sharp, including large-area panels for TVs and small- and medium-area panels for Smartphones, and in return, Sharp will receive funds from Samsung to strengthen its finance and develop IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide) panel technology. Samsung is reportedly to keep its hands off from Sharp's management, according to a report by Wall Street Journal, adding that the deal is slated for completion in late March this year.

In December 2012, Qualcomm also signed a cooperation deal with Sharp, buying a 2.65% stake in Sharp for US$120 million, according to the same source.

Taiwan's major contract manufacturer Foxconn, which had been negotiating with Sharp for further cooperation since last year but yet to reach concrete results, declined to comment on the deal, according to Taiwan's China Post.