I really think that the vertical navigation menu is inappropriate for mobile apps. It makes the user flow feel more clunky and encourages section overload. It is also a sign that there hasn't been enough effort put into information architecture.
Remember, when you copy Facebook, you inherit their constraints. A full-featured app for an eight-year-old social network of 800 million has to do a lot. A do-one-thing-well photo app? Not so much.
Also, the menu presents the advantage of leaving room for growth without having to redesign the home screen.