Five years ago, when I bought my first Apple Watch, I thought my dream of becoming a cyborg with an army of robots would finally come true Or at least I thought I would become the ultimate, up-and-coming technology reporter on a northern college campus

My anarchic ambitions, though they still existed, were not fulfilled with the debut of the Apple Watch Back when the wrist computer was just another one of my mother's outlandish predictions, the idea of an Apple Watch sounded a lot cooler than actually having one

It took a few months for the cult-like popularity of the Apple Watch to spread, just as the AirPods had risen to mainstream status It wasn't until the holidays of 2015, about six months after the wearable hit store shelves, that I began to notice the swarm of tiny LCD wrist displays At this point I had already stopped wearing it and was even considering selling it [because then I could compare it side-by-side with the Apple Watch Series 5 Sure, my OG Apple Watch may not turn on anymore, but that's semantics

Just holding its sad, helpless body in the palm of my hand, I can reflect on how far the Apple Watch has come and remember some of the quirks that drove it from my wrist in the first place

My second use as an Apple Watch user has been much better so far But that's not to say I haven't tested the latest smartwatches and fitness trackers in the meantime While I like some features like cellular connectivity and health metrics, there are areas where Apple could improve In fact, there are a few things I still don't like after half a decade

Here are some of the things I like and dislike about the Apple Watch five years later

When Apple debuted the cellular version of the Apple Watch in 2017, it wasn't very appealing In fact, we recommended skipping the more expensive model in our Apple Watch Series 3 review However, interest in cellular support has since grown, as has the popularity of the Apple Watch itself

Cellular capability requires a monthly data plan with a wireless carrier, but it gives you the power to disconnect from your iPhone when you're out jogging or running a few errands It really is freedom

It's also reassuring to know that when you have your iPhone with you, if your smartphone is broken, damaged, or stolen (which it was), you're still connected

Apple's advantage over competing fitness trackers is that it consistently releases new features: the Apple Watch Series 4's FDA-approved ECG alerts you when your heart rate becomes erratic, the fall detection sensor can call for you and save your life

The Apple Watch's "ring" of physical activity is just as motivating as it was five years ago The visual reminders and challenges have even turned my colleagues into Apple Watch devotees As I get closer to my goals, I find myself walking more than I normally would

I am excited about the rumored release of Apple Watch 6 Sleep tracking has never appealed to me, but I'm sure others are glad it's coming I am also interested in the possibility of a blood oxygenation level (SPO2) monitor And while the Apple Watch breathing buddy is already great, the company is reportedly working on more mental health support tools

The appearance of the Apple Watch has not changed in five years As proof, I have the first and newest models

I'm a big believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but I hope Apple takes a risk with the Apple Watch aesthetic Even if it is a small one I appreciate subtleties like a refreshed color finish or a redesigned crown setup It may be extreme, but maybe Apple should find a way to ditch the crown altogether

Also, while the Apple Watch looks sophisticated in sporting situations, it is not an ideal accessory for nicer occasions; some Apple Watch bands add elegance, but like the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the high-end cannot be considered jewelry

The Apple Watch leads its class in all but the most practical category Its all-day 18-hour battery life is not enough, even with the always-on display While that performance may be more demanding than competing smartwatches that last several days, I think the company needs to do better

I'd rather have my Apple Watch last three days on a single charge than have it be always on No matter how many times I rearrange the many cables at my bedside, the knotted white cords are a headache Until a reliable AirPower-type Qi charger comes along or the iPhone supports reverse wireless charging, the Apple Watch's battery life should improve

I dumped my original Apple Watch because I was tired of having to charge it so often I ended up forgetting to charge it for a week and then it became a chore to charge it I can see that happening again now Because that's me (and I know I'm not the only one)

Have you ever held an Apple Watch in your hand without the band? It's like holding a tiny iPhone in the palm of your hand Try it the next time you replace the band It may not be my favorite tech product, but the Apple Watch fills me with the geekiest joy in the world

Apple is expected to unveil the next generation Watch along with the iPhone 12 in the fall Until then, check back for regularly updated summaries of the latest Apple Watch 6 news and rumors