An electronic system with power approximation for circuit savings. Power approximation is provided by means for generating an absolute value of a real part of a signal, means for generating an absolute value of an imaginary part of the signal, means for generating a sum of the absolute values, and means for performing an averaging function on the sum such that a result of the averaging function provides an approximate power which indicates an actual power of the signal. The approximate power enables a determination of actual signal-to-noise ratio in the electronic system and a determination of a variety of other signal-to-noise determinations without the use of multipliers.