diff --git a/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ios.scss b/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ios.scss
index b1cea8f18fb..697e5431f87 100644
--- a/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ios.scss
+++ b/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ios.scss
@@ -66,8 +66,6 @@ $searchbar-ios-toolbar-input-background:  rgba(0, 0, 0, .08) !default;
 
   background-repeat: no-repeat;
   background-size: $searchbar-ios-input-search-icon-size;
-
-  transition: $searchbar-ios-input-transition;
 }
 
 
@@ -87,8 +85,6 @@ $searchbar-ios-toolbar-input-background:  rgba(0, 0, 0, .08) !default;
 
   color: $searchbar-ios-input-text-color;
   background-color: $searchbar-ios-input-background-color;
-
-  transition: $searchbar-ios-input-transition;
 }
 
 
@@ -119,7 +115,6 @@ $searchbar-ios-toolbar-input-background:  rgba(0, 0, 0, .08) !default;
 
   flex-shrink: 0;
 
-  margin-right: -100%;
   margin-left: 0;
   padding: 0;
   padding-left: 8px;
@@ -127,20 +122,8 @@ $searchbar-ios-toolbar-input-background:  rgba(0, 0, 0, .08) !default;
   height: 30px;
 
   cursor: pointer;
-
-  opacity: 0;
-
-  transform: translate3d(0, 0, 0);
-  transition: $searchbar-ios-cancel-transition;
-
-  pointer-events: none;
 }
 
-.searchbar-ios.searchbar-show-cancel .searchbar-ios-cancel {
-  display: block;
-}
-
-
 // Searchbar Left Aligned (iOS only)
 // -----------------------------------------
 
@@ -156,10 +139,8 @@ $searchbar-ios-toolbar-input-background:  rgba(0, 0, 0, .08) !default;
 // Searchbar Has Focus
 // -----------------------------------------
 
-.searchbar-ios.searchbar-has-focus .searchbar-ios-cancel {
-  opacity: 1;
-
-  pointer-events: auto;
+.searchbar-ios.searchbar-show-cancel.searchbar-has-focus .searchbar-ios-cancel {
+  display: block;
 }
 
 
@@ -225,3 +206,29 @@ $searchbar-ios-toolbar-input-background:  rgba(0, 0, 0, .08) !default;
   }
 
 }
+
+// Searchbar animation
+// -----------------------------------------
+
+.searchbar-ios.searchbar-animated .searchbar-search-icon,
+.searchbar-ios.searchbar-animated .searchbar-input {
+  transition: $searchbar-ios-input-transition;
+}
+
+.searchbar-animated.searchbar-has-focus .searchbar-ios-cancel {
+  opacity: 1;
+
+  pointer-events: auto;
+}
+
+.searchbar-animated .searchbar-ios-cancel {
+  display: block;
+
+  margin-right: -100%;
+
+  opacity: 0;
+  transform: translate3d(0, 0, 0);
+  transition: $searchbar-ios-cancel-transition;
+
+  pointer-events: none;
+}
diff --git a/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.scss b/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.scss
index 9d68e30b5cc..0a67f402dde 100644
--- a/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.scss
+++ b/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.scss
@@ -48,3 +48,4 @@ ion-searchbar {
 .searchbar-has-value.searchbar-has-focus .searchbar-clear-icon {
   display: block;
 }
+
diff --git a/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ts b/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ts
index 13358193c89..f769e77a5b7 100644
--- a/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ts
+++ b/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { NgControl }  from '@angular/forms';
 
 import { Config } from '../../config/config';
 import { Ion } from '../ion';
-import { isPresent } from '../../util/util';
+import { isPresent, isTrueProperty } from '../../util/util';
 import { Debouncer } from '../../util/debouncer';
 
 
@@ -30,27 +30,37 @@ import { Debouncer } from '../../util/debouncer';
   selector: 'ion-searchbar',
   template:
     '<div class="searchbar-input-container">' +
-      '<button ion-button (click)="cancelSearchbar($event)" (mousedown)="cancelSearchbar($event)" clear color="dark" class="searchbar-md-cancel">' +
+      '<button ion-button (click)="cancelSearchbar($event)" (mousedown)="cancelSearchbar($event)" clear color="dark" class="searchbar-md-cancel" type="button">' +
         '<ion-icon name="arrow-back"></ion-icon>' +
       '</button>' +
       '<div #searchbarIcon class="searchbar-search-icon"></div>' +
-      '<input #searchbarInput [(ngModel)]="_value" [attr.placeholder]="placeholder" (input)="inputChanged($event)" (blur)="inputBlurred($event)" (focus)="inputFocused($event)" class="searchbar-input">' +
-      '<button ion-button clear class="searchbar-clear-icon" (click)="clearInput($event)" (mousedown)="clearInput($event)"></button>' +
+      '<input #searchbarInput class="searchbar-input" (input)="inputChanged($event)" (blur)="inputBlurred($event)" (focus)="inputFocused($event)" ' +
+        '[attr.placeholder]="placeholder" ' +
+        '[attr.type]="type" ' +
+        '[attr.autocomplete]="_autocomplete" ' +
+        '[attr.autocorrect]="_autocorrect" ' +
+        '[attr.spellcheck]="_spellcheck">' +
+      '<button ion-button clear class="searchbar-clear-icon" (click)="clearInput($event)" (mousedown)="clearInput($event)" type="button"></button>' +
     '</div>' +
-    '<button ion-button #cancelButton [tabindex]="_isActive ? 1 : -1" clear (click)="cancelSearchbar($event)" (mousedown)="cancelSearchbar($event)" class="searchbar-ios-cancel">{{cancelButtonText}}</button>',
+    '<button ion-button #cancelButton [tabindex]="_isActive ? 1 : -1" clear (click)="cancelSearchbar($event)" (mousedown)="cancelSearchbar($event)" class="searchbar-ios-cancel" type="button">{{cancelButtonText}}</button>',
   host: {
+    '[class.searchbar-animated]': 'animated',
     '[class.searchbar-has-value]': '_value',
     '[class.searchbar-active]': '_isActive',
     '[class.searchbar-show-cancel]': 'showCancelButton',
-    '[class.searchbar-left-aligned]': 'shouldAlignLeft()'
+    '[class.searchbar-left-aligned]': '_shouldAlignLeft'
   },
   encapsulation: ViewEncapsulation.None
 })
 export class Searchbar extends Ion {
   _value: string|number = '';
   _shouldBlur: boolean = true;
+  _shouldAlignLeft: boolean = true;
+  _isCancelVisible: boolean = false;
+  _spellcheck: boolean = false;
+  _autocomplete: string = 'off';
+  _autocorrect: string = 'off';
   _isActive: boolean = false;
-  _searchbarInput: ElementRef;
   _debouncer: Debouncer = new Debouncer(250);
 
   /**
@@ -98,23 +108,37 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
   /**
    * @input {string} Set the input's autocomplete property. Values: `"on"`, `"off"`. Default `"off"`.
    */
-  @Input() autocomplete: string;
+  @Input()
+  set autocomplete(val: string) {
+    this._autocomplete = (val === '' || val === 'on') ? 'on' : this._config.get('autocomplete', 'off');
+  }
 
   /**
    * @input {string} Set the input's autocorrect property. Values: `"on"`, `"off"`. Default `"off"`.
    */
-  @Input() autocorrect: string;
+  @Input()
+  set autocorrect(val: string) {
+    this._autocorrect = (val === '' || val === 'on') ? 'on' : this._config.get('autocorrect', 'off');
+  }
 
   /**
    * @input {string|boolean} Set the input's spellcheck property. Values: `true`, `false`. Default `false`.
    */
-  @Input() spellcheck: string|boolean;
+  @Input()
+  set spellcheck(val: string | boolean) {
+    this._spellcheck = (val === '' || val === 'true' || val === true) ? true : this._config.getBoolean('spellcheck', false);
+  }
 
   /**
    * @input {string} Set the type of the input. Values: `"text"`, `"password"`, `"email"`, `"number"`, `"search"`, `"tel"`, `"url"`. Default `"search"`.
    */
   @Input() type: string = 'search';
 
+  /**
+   * @input {string|boolean} Configures if the searchbar is animated or no. By default, animation is disabled.
+   */
+  @Input() animated: string | boolean = false;
+
   /**
    * @output {event} When the Searchbar input has changed including cleared.
    */
@@ -161,30 +185,7 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * @private
-   */
-  @ViewChild('searchbarInput')
-  set searchbarInput(searchbarInput: ElementRef) {
-    this._searchbarInput = searchbarInput;
-
-    let inputEle = searchbarInput.nativeElement;
-
-    // By defalt set autocomplete="off" unless specified by the input
-    let autoComplete = (this.autocomplete === '' || this.autocomplete === 'on') ? 'on' : this._config.get('autocomplete', 'off');
-    inputEle.setAttribute('autocomplete', autoComplete);
-
-    // by default set autocorrect="off" unless specified by the input
-    let autoCorrect = (this.autocorrect === '' || this.autocorrect === 'on') ? 'on' : this._config.get('autocorrect', 'off');
-    inputEle.setAttribute('autocorrect', autoCorrect);
-
-    // by default set spellcheck="false" unless specified by the input
-    let spellCheck = (this.spellcheck === '' || this.spellcheck === 'true' || this.spellcheck === true) ? true : this._config.getBoolean('spellcheck', false);
-    inputEle.setAttribute('spellcheck', spellCheck);
-
-    // by default set type="search" unless specified by the input
-    inputEle.setAttribute('type', this.type);
-  }
+  @ViewChild('searchbarInput') _searchbarInput: ElementRef;
 
   @ViewChild('searchbarIcon') _searchbarIcon: ElementRef;
 
@@ -200,6 +201,12 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
 
   set value(val) {
     this._value = val;
+    if (this._searchbarInput) {
+      let ele = this._searchbarInput.nativeElement;
+      if (ele) {
+        ele.value = val;
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   /**
@@ -217,7 +224,7 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
    * @private
    * After View Checked position the elements
    */
-  ngAfterViewChecked() {
+  ngAfterContentInit() {
     this.positionElements();
   }
 
@@ -227,26 +234,31 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
    * based on the input value and if it is focused. (ios only)
    */
   positionElements() {
-    if (this._config.get('mode') !== 'ios') return;
+    let isAnimated = isTrueProperty(this.animated);
+    let prevAlignLeft = this._shouldAlignLeft;
+    let shouldAlignLeft = (!isAnimated || (this._value && this._value.toString().trim() !== '') || this._sbHasFocus === true);
+    this._shouldAlignLeft = shouldAlignLeft;
 
-    // Position the input placeholder & search icon
-    if (this._searchbarInput && this._searchbarIcon) {
-      this.positionInputPlaceholder(this._searchbarInput.nativeElement, this._searchbarIcon.nativeElement);
+    if (this._config.get('mode') !== 'ios') {
+      return;
     }
 
-    // Position the cancel button
-    if (this._cancelButton && this._cancelButton.nativeElement) {
-      this.positionCancelButton(this._cancelButton.nativeElement);
+    if (prevAlignLeft !== shouldAlignLeft) {
+      this.positionPlaceholder();
+    }
+    if (isAnimated) {
+      this.positionCancelButton();
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * @private
-   * Calculates the amount of padding/margin left for the elements
-   * in order to center them based on the placeholder width
-   */
-  positionInputPlaceholder(inputEle: HTMLElement, iconEle: HTMLElement) {
-    if (this.shouldAlignLeft()) {
+  positionPlaceholder() {
+    if (!this._searchbarInput || !this._searchbarIcon) {
+      return;
+    }
+    let inputEle = this._searchbarInput.nativeElement;
+    let iconEle = this._searchbarIcon.nativeElement;
+
+    if (this._shouldAlignLeft) {
       inputEle.removeAttribute('style');
       iconEle.removeAttribute('style');
     } else {
@@ -273,32 +285,34 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
    * @private
    * Show the iOS Cancel button on focus, hide it offscreen otherwise
    */
-  positionCancelButton(cancelButtonEle: HTMLElement) {
-    if (cancelButtonEle.offsetWidth > 0) {
-      if (this._sbHasFocus) {
-        cancelButtonEle.style.marginRight = '0';
+  positionCancelButton() {
+    if (!this._cancelButton || !this._cancelButton.nativeElement) {
+      return;
+    }
+    let showShowCancel = this._sbHasFocus;
+    if (showShowCancel !== this._isCancelVisible) {
+      let cancelStyleEle = this._cancelButton.nativeElement;
+      let cancelStyle = cancelStyleEle.style;
+      this._isCancelVisible = showShowCancel;
+      if (showShowCancel) {
+        cancelStyle.marginRight = '0';
       } else {
-        cancelButtonEle.style.marginRight = -cancelButtonEle.offsetWidth + 'px';
+        let offset = cancelStyleEle.offsetWidth;
+        if (offset > 0) {
+          cancelStyle.marginRight = -offset + 'px';
+        }
       }
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * @private
-   * Align the input placeholder left on focus or if a value exists
-   */
-  shouldAlignLeft() {
-    return ( (this._value && this._value.toString().trim() !== '') || this._sbHasFocus === true );
-  }
 
   /**
    * @private
    * Update the Searchbar input value when the input changes
    */
   inputChanged(ev: any) {
-    let value = ev.target.value;
+    this._value = ev.target.value;
     this._debouncer.debounce(() => {
-      this._value = value;
       this.onChange(this._value);
       this.ionInput.emit(ev);
     });
@@ -342,12 +356,16 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
   clearInput(ev: UIEvent) {
     this.ionClear.emit(ev);
 
-    if (isPresent(this._value) && this._value !== '') {
-      this._value = '';
-      this.onChange(this._value);
-      this.ionInput.emit(ev);
-    }
-
+    // setTimeout() fixes https://github.com/driftyco/ionic/issues/7527
+    // wait for 4 frames
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      let value = this._value;
+      if (isPresent(value) && value !== '') {
+        this.value = ''; // DOM WRITE
+        this.onChange(this._value);
+        this.ionInput.emit(ev);
+      }
+    }, 16 * 4);
     this._shouldBlur = false;
   }
 
@@ -370,7 +388,7 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
    * Write a new value to the element.
    */
   writeValue(val: any) {
-    this._value = val;
+    this.value = val;
     this.positionElements();
   }
 
@@ -399,4 +417,8 @@ export class Searchbar extends Ion {
   registerOnTouched(fn: () => {}): void {
     this.onTouched = fn;
   }
+
+  setFocus() {
+    this._renderer.invokeElementMethod(this._searchbarInput.nativeElement, 'focus');
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/components/searchbar/test/basic/main.html b/src/components/searchbar/test/basic/main.html
index 02309d58241..54eee134b75 100644
--- a/src/components/searchbar/test/basic/main.html
+++ b/src/components/searchbar/test/basic/main.html
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 <ion-content>
   <h5 padding-left> Search - Default </h5>
-  <ion-searchbar [(ngModel)]="defaultSearch" showCancelButton debounce="500" (ionInput)="triggerInput($event)" (ionBlur)="inputBlurred($event)" (ionFocus)="inputFocused($event)" (ionCancel)="onCancelSearchbar($event)" (ionClear)="onClearSearchbar($event)"></ion-searchbar>
+  <ion-searchbar [(ngModel)]="defaultSearch" type="tel" showCancelButton debounce="500" (ionInput)="triggerInput($event)" (ionBlur)="inputBlurred($event)" (ionFocus)="inputFocused($event)" (ionCancel)="onCancelSearchbar($event)" (ionClear)="onClearSearchbar($event)"></ion-searchbar>
+
+  <h5 padding-left> Search - Animated </h5>
+  <ion-searchbar animated="true" showCancelButton debounce="500" (ionInput)="triggerInput($event)" (ionBlur)="inputBlurred($event)" (ionFocus)="inputFocused($event)" (ionCancel)="onCancelSearchbar($event)" (ionClear)="onClearSearchbar($event)"></ion-searchbar>
 
   <p padding-left>
     defaultSearch: <b>{{ defaultSearch }}</b>
diff --git a/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/app-module.ts b/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/app-module.ts
index f75d1de3fa7..946da836762 100644
--- a/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/app-module.ts
+++ b/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/app-module.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { Component, NgModule } from '@angular/core';
-import { IonicApp, IonicModule, NavController, NavParams } from '../../../..';
+import { IonicApp, IonicModule, ModalController, NavController, NavParams, ViewController } from '../../../..';
 
 
 @Component({
@@ -13,13 +13,23 @@ export class MainPage {
   }
 }
 
+@Component({
+  templateUrl: 'modal.html'
+})
+export class ModalPage {
+ constructor(public viewCtrl: ViewController) {}
+  close() {
+    this.viewCtrl.dismiss();
+  }
+}
+
 @Component({
   templateUrl: 'search.html'
 })
 export class SearchPage {
   items: string[];
 
-  constructor(public navCtrl: NavController) {
+  constructor(public navCtrl: NavController, public modalCtrl: ModalController) {
     this.initializeItems();
   }
 
@@ -88,6 +98,11 @@ export class SearchPage {
       return false;
     });
   }
+
+  openModal() {
+    let modal = this.modalCtrl.create(ModalPage);
+    modal.present();
+  }
 }
 
 @Component({
@@ -121,6 +136,7 @@ export class E2EApp {
     E2EApp,
     MainPage,
     SearchPage,
+    ModalPage,
     DetailPage,
     TabsPage
   ],
@@ -132,6 +148,7 @@ export class E2EApp {
     E2EApp,
     MainPage,
     SearchPage,
+    ModalPage,
     DetailPage,
     TabsPage
   ]
diff --git a/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/modal.html b/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/modal.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7db91bfa285
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/modal.html
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+<ion-header>
+  <ion-toolbar>
+    <ion-buttons start>
+      <button ion-button >
+          Does nothing
+      </button>
+    </ion-buttons>
+    <ion-buttons end>
+      <button ion-button (click)="close()">
+          Close
+      </button>
+    </ion-buttons>
+  </ion-toolbar>
+</ion-header>
+
+<ion-content padding>
+  Close the modal with the button and the searchbar SHOULD NOT become focused.
+  <button ion-button (click)="close()">
+    Close
+  </button>
+</ion-content>
diff --git a/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/search.html b/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/search.html
index 8aa8be3a5bd..a3b301b4f05 100644
--- a/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/search.html
+++ b/src/components/searchbar/test/nav/search.html
@@ -1,21 +1,24 @@
 <ion-header>
 
   <ion-navbar no-border-bottom>
-    <ion-title>Searchbar</ion-title>
+    <ion-searchbar color="primary" autofocus (ionInput)="getItems($event)" placeholder="Filter Schedules">
+    </ion-searchbar>
   </ion-navbar>
 
   <ion-toolbar no-border-top>
-    <ion-searchbar color="primary" (ionInput)="getItems($event)" placeholder="Filter Schedules">
-    </ion-searchbar>
+    <ion-title>Searchbar</ion-title>
+    <ion-buttons end>
+      <button ion-button (click)="openModal()">Open modal</button>
+    </ion-buttons>
   </ion-toolbar>
 
 </ion-header>
 
-
 <ion-content>
 
-  <ion-searchbar (ionInput)="getItems($event)"></ion-searchbar>
-
+  <form>
+    <ion-searchbar (ionInput)="getItems($event)"></ion-searchbar>
+  </form>
   <ion-list>
     <button ion-item *ngFor="let item of items" (click)="showDetail(item)" class="e2eSearchbarNavItem">
       {{ item }}