I wonder if our different reactions to the side button are in part because of the case. I have an Otterbox case for mine. It doesn't change the locations of the buttons at all, but I wouldn't be surprised if it requires a bit more force to push that button when it's in the case. Fiddling with it right now, I don't think it would be easy to activate the button accidentally even if I did pick up the phone by that spot or whatever. I've never tried using the phone without the case, so I don't know if that changes.