In　this　paper,　the　complexity　of　intra　coding　is　first　analyzed　so　as　to　achieve　a　weight　of　complexity　measurement　for　each　intra　mode.　Then,　a　new　complexity　scalable　control　algorithm　for　intra　coding　in　H.264　is　proposed,　based　on　the　rearrangement　of　the　order　of　candidate　modes　and　an　efficient　complexity　allocation　and　control　(CAAC)　scheme　at　the　macroblock　(MB)　level.　The　candidate　modes　of　each　MB　are　rearranged　according　to　the　local-edge　information.　Experimental　results　show　that　our　proposed　algorithm　can　make　an　appropriate　cut-off　point　of　the　candidate　modes　sequence　adaptively　according　to　the　current　energy　condition　of　a　mobile　device,　so　as　to　adjust　the　complexity　at　any　level　while　maximizing　the　video　quality,　which　can　prolong　the　operational　lifetime　of　the　battery　with　minimum　degradation　in　video　quality.　©　by　High　Technology　Letters　Press.