A wireless receiver is provided that includes a component and a power control logic 80. The component is operable to receive a wireless signal and process the wireless signal in at least one of a first mode and a second mode. The first mode uses less power than the second mode. The power control logic 80 is operable based on a characteristic of the wireless signal to promote processing the wireless signal by the component in the at least one of the first and second modes. A method for a wireless receiver to process the wireless signal to reduce power consumption is also provided. The method includes determining a characteristic of the wireless signal, and selecting one of a first and second modes in which to process the signal based on the characteristic of the wireless signal.