Elon Musk’s Neuralink Chip Could Be Built by Samsung as Next-Gen Brain Interface Moves Forward
Elon Musk’s Neuralink is already pushing ahead with its fourth-generation brain-computer interface chip, and Samsung may play a major role in bringing it to life. The new chip is expected to mark a major step forward for Neuralink, moving beyond simply reading brain signals and toward two-way communication between the human brain and external computing devices.
According to industry reports, Samsung is preparing to manufacture the next Neuralink chip using its 4nm process. If the partnership moves forward as expected, it could deepen Musk’s growing relationship with Samsung, which has already been linked to long-term chip production plans for Tesla’s future self-driving hardware, including AI6 and AI6.5 chips.
The decision to use Samsung’s 4nm technology may appear surprising at first, especially as the semiconductor industry races toward smaller and more advanced manufacturing nodes. However, a more mature process can offer important advantages. Samsung’s 4nm platform is believed to be more stable and reliable than some newer processes, which could be critical for a medical-focused chip designed to interact with the human nervous system.
Reliability is especially important for Neuralink. Unlike consumer chips used in smartphones or laptops, brain-computer interface chips must meet extremely demanding standards. They need to process delicate neural signals accurately, operate with high efficiency, and maintain consistent performance over time. A stable manufacturing process could help Samsung deliver the chips on schedule while reducing production risks.
Previously, TSMC was reportedly responsible for producing Neuralink’s third-generation chip. With Samsung now expected to handle the fourth-generation version, Musk may be shifting more of his semiconductor partnerships toward the South Korean technology giant.
Samsung is reportedly aiming to produce and ship the first test batches of the fourth-generation Neuralink chip in the first half of 2027. If testing progresses smoothly, mass production could begin as early as the end of the following year.
The biggest upgrade in the new Neuralink chip is expected to be bidirectional communication. Earlier Neuralink chips were mainly designed to read brain activity and translate those signals into commands for external devices. This could allow users to control computers, robotic limbs, or other digital systems using their thoughts.
The fourth-generation chip is expected to go further. Instead of only reading signals from the brain, it may also send information back into the brain. This could open the door to far more advanced medical applications.
One potential use case is vision restoration. By stimulating specific brain neurons, future Neuralink systems could help restore visual perception for people with certain forms of blindness. While this kind of technology is still highly complex and will require extensive testing, the ability to send signals into the brain could become a major breakthrough for neurotechnology.
For Samsung, the Neuralink deal could also be important for its foundry business. The company has been working to strengthen its position in the global chip manufacturing market, where it competes directly with TSMC. Winning advanced chip orders from Elon Musk’s companies could help Samsung improve its reputation in high-performance semiconductor production.
Samsung has also stated that it expects its foundry division to return to profitability in 2028. Securing major clients in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and brain-computer interface technology could support that goal.
There may also be a practical reason why Musk is turning to Samsung. TSMC is facing intense demand from major technology companies, especially as the artificial intelligence boom continues to accelerate. Large customers such as NVIDIA have placed massive orders for advanced chips, putting heavy pressure on TSMC’s production capacity.
Even though TSMC has been working to expand output, demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing remains extremely high. This creates an opportunity for Samsung to attract customers looking for reliable production capacity and more flexible supply arrangements.
Samsung’s most advanced 2nm gate-all-around technology is still developing, and its yields may not yet be ideal for large-scale customer orders. However, its more mature manufacturing nodes, such as 4nm, could become a major advantage in the near term. These processes may offer a stronger balance of performance, stability, and production readiness.
If Samsung successfully manufactures Neuralink’s fourth-generation chip, it could strengthen its position as a key foundry partner for next-generation technologies. For Neuralink, the partnership may help accelerate the development of brain-computer interfaces that could one day assist people with paralysis, vision loss, neurological disorders, and other serious medical conditions.
The project is still years away from full-scale production, but the direction is clear: Neuralink is working toward a future where the brain and machines can communicate in both directions. With Samsung potentially producing the chip that makes this possible, the partnership could become one of the most important developments in the next phase of human-computer interaction.
