A method and system is disclosed for intelligent power control in a wireless communication system. In accordance with an example embodiment, a first device will operate in a dynamic-power state in which it transmits a power-increment command or power-decrement command in response to each of periodic comparisons of a signal power level of a signal received from a second device with a threshold power level. While operating in the dynamic-power state, the first device will recognize when it has transmitted a threshold number of alternating power-increment and power-decrement commands, and responsively will transition to operating in a steady-power state in which it continues to transmit alternating power-increment and power-decrement commands even if it detects that the second device has ceased responding to the alternating power-increment and power-decrement commands. While operating in the steady-power state, the first device will recognize when the difference between a currently-received signal power level and the threshold power level is greater than a differential threshold power, and based at least on the recognition will transition to operating in the dynamic power state.