Apparatus and method for saving power in portable terminal

An apparatus and a method for reducing power consumption are provided. In a method for a pedometer function in a portable terminal, when acceleration determination data is less than a threshold, an acceleration determination data loading frequency is lowered to a lower limit frequency. Acceleration determination data are loaded according to the lower limit frequency. When the acceleration determination data loaded according to the lower limit frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold, an acceleration determination data loading frequency is raised to a determination frequency.