Detection of gesture data segmentation in mobile devices. An embodiment of a mobile device includes an edge, the edge including at least a first side, and a first touch sensor of one or more touch sensors, the first touch sensor being a side touch sensor to detect contact with the first side of the mobile device. The mobile device further includes one or more motion detection elements to generate motion data representing motion of the mobile device through space over a period of time, a buffer for the storage of the motion data, and a gesture recognition module to interpret the motion data stored in the buffer, wherein the mobile device begins the storage of the motion data in the buffer upon detection of a start of gesture data event, the start of gesture data event including contact with the first touch sensor.