Access terminals are adapted to regulate power in wireless receiver circuits. In one example, access terminals include a communications interface with at least one wireless receiver circuit. A processing circuit coupled with the communications interface can determine that data is not expected to be received by the access terminal for a period of time while operating in a connected mode. One or more components of the wireless receiver circuit, including a low noise amplifier (LNA) of the wireless receiver circuit, can subsequently be powered down (e.g., set to a passive state) in response to such a determination. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.