Future wireless communication systems are expected to offer several gigabits data rate. It can be anticipated that the advanced communication techniques can enhance the capability of mobile terminals (MTs) to support high data traffic. However, aggressive technique induces high energy consumption for the circuits of MTs, which drain the batteries fast and consequently limit mobility. In order to solve such a problem, a scheme called distributed mobile cloud (DMC) is foreseen as one of the potential solutions to reduce energy consumption per node in a network by exploiting collaboration within a cluster of nearby mobile terminals. In this paper we provide a detailed analysis of the energy consumption of a terminal joining the DMC and also analyze the conditions for energy savings opportunities. Numerical results are also provided to illustrate the analysis and show the potential of significant reduction of the per-node energy consumption in the mobile cloud concept.