Tesla is expanding its technology partnership with Samsung, this time bringing Samsung’s 5G modem chips directly into Tesla vehicles. According to a report from The Elec, Samsung will begin supplying 5G connectivity chips to Tesla, starting with the Robotaxi fleet scheduled to debut in Texas. This marks the first time Samsung provides a 5G modem for Tesla cars, moving beyond earlier component collaborations.
The chip was developed by Samsung’s System LSI division, which has completed design work and is now in the testing phase. Development began in early 2024 and wrapped up last year. While Samsung has long produced 5G modems for smartphones and tablets, automotive requirements are far more demanding. These chips must withstand constant vibration, extreme temperatures, and long duty cycles, with reliability targets that stretch close to a decade. To meet those standards, Samsung used a different manufacturing process tailored specifically for automotive use.
Tesla has previously relied on Qualcomm for 5G modem chips, but this move signals a shift in strategy. Tesla has been steadily reducing its dependence on supply chains tied to China and Taiwan, instead favoring partners that can manufacture in South Korea and the United States. Samsung fits that strategy well, with advanced chip production already operating and expanding in both regions.
The Robotaxi program is the first deployment point for Samsung’s 5G modem, but the plan does not stop there. After the initial rollout, Tesla is expected to expand the use of Samsung’s 5G connectivity chips across other vehicle lines. This aligns with Tesla’s broader push toward tighter vertical integration and more direct control over critical technologies that support autonomy, real time data transfer, and fleet scale operations.
This connectivity deal builds on a rapidly deepening relationship between the two companies. Samsung recently secured a $16.5 billion contract to manufacture Tesla’s next generation AI6 chips using its 2nm process at the Samsung fab in Taylor, Texas. Samsung is also producing some of Tesla’s AI5 chips on its 4nm process in the United States. Together, these agreements position Samsung as a core semiconductor partner for Tesla’s future across autonomy, AI compute, and now vehicle connectivity.
For Tesla, high performance and reliable 5G is critical to the Robotaxi vision. Autonomous fleets depend on constant communication for navigation updates, fleet management, remote diagnostics, and real time learning at scale. By bringing 5G modem supply closer to home and under trusted partners, Tesla is tightening the technical foundation needed to operate Robotaxi services safely and efficiently.
This move reinforces a clear trend. Tesla is not just building cars. It is assembling a tightly controlled hardware and software stack, from AI chips to connectivity, designed to scale autonomy globally with fewer external dependencies and more predictable execution.
