Buy the phone at regular price and you don't need a contract. The contract just insures the carrier that you will remain with them long enough for them to recoup the difference between the $250 cost of the phone and the $25 they actually charged you for it.
I would think that your "regular price" is dictated by the phone company themselves not the manufacturer. They intentionaly inflate the price well beyond market value to make it seem like its cheaper to go into contract than afford the phone. Verizon especially likes to force you into a new contract whenever you change anything.