I think I would consider the hybrid battery to be the equivalent of the "pure android experience". People get a Prius because they want a hybrid (certainly not cause it is cool and stylish). People get the GNex because it isn't supposed to be modified. If the hybrid battery is removed, then it isn't a hybrid, and therefore, not a real Prius. If the carrier made modifications, then it isn't a pure Google product and therefore...
True, but using the hybrid car and battery analogy, one could argue that the battery was not removed (as the Galaxy Nexus is running at the very least a
close to stock experience), but rather altered slightly. Perhaps it's a Prius with a slightly smaller battery and reduced range (as Tesla has done with the two versions of the Model S). I would argue that this makes it a
different kind of hybrid, but a hybrid nonetheless. Based on that logic, I would accept arguments for the Galaxy Nexus being a Nexus, but just a "different variety" of the Nexus. Perhaps it is alright to be a Nexus device, but just
less of one?
Edit: by "pure android experience," are you referring to the "with Google" devices, or Nexus devices? (end edit)
I wanted to point that out. My personal opinion, however, is this:
The Galaxy Nexus runs a close-to-stock version of Android. It does not run TouchWiz, the overlay almost always included by the manufacturer who produced this device. Its updates are not pushed from Google directly and suffer from delays as a result of the Google/Verizon/Samsung interaction process. After comparing the Galaxy Nexus to the current Nexus 4, 7, and 10, as well as the current overall "image" of the Nexus line, I don't think the VZW Galaxy Nexus is a "true" Nexus device.
I do, however, think the GSM Galaxy Nexus is a "true" Nexus device. I don't think many people here are questioning that, but it's important to realize where the distinction lies between them.