Iphone is surely better than n96, however i would prefer iphone 2g (the 1 i have) cause its less expensive and is better made, my friend bought 3G and after few weeks of using Home Button broke.
No offence but discussing who should buy what doesn't quite make any sense because you people would agree that everyone has his own choice about cell phones and eveything else so it totally depends upon the person who wants to buy. There are many Nokia fans out there (like me ;-) but people loving the apple's device are not any less. So all in all which ever device you own it is there to fulfill your own needs.