Can iphone 5 see when someone is typing a message?

So can an iphone see when someone is typing the message to them (even if the person typing the message hasn't got an iphone)?

That depends on what chat app you're using. With Kik, yes, you can see when the other user is typing a message. However, for text messages (SMS), you can't see that the other person is typing if they don't also have an iPhone, because they can't use iMessage.

Hope that helps!

No they can't but as you probably already know if the other person is using a iphone then they can 100% see if you are replying and also whether you have read the message they sent you.
But this can be turned off in the settings if you prefer people to not know whether you have read the message.

When I'm texting on my iPhone, I can see when other iPhone users are replying, yes. I do not think it works for non-iPhone users.

That only happens when people are iMessaging each other (of course involves 2 or more iOS devices)