Is a regular Switch carrying case okay for the OLED model?

I had the same worry when I upgraded to the OLED and kept my old hard shell case. The fit was snug but fine, I just shifted the strap so it did not press the sticks and added a thin microfiber cloth on top to stop any rub, so I did not need a new case.

I kept my launch model case when I moved to OLED and it has been totally fine. The OLED body is a touch wider so the foam hugged it a bit more, but no warping or stick pressure.

I do a quick close and squeeze test and make sure the mesh pocket is either empty or only flat items like a cleaning cloth. If nothing presses and the zipper pulls glide without scuffing the edges, you are good.

Standard hard shell will protect it. The risk is when the inner flap or pocket pushes down on the sticks or the power and volume along the top. Put the that model in zip up, then look for ring marks on the screen protector or imprints on the sticks after a few minutes in the case. Works great if you do not overstuff the pocket.

I noticed thumb grip caps were the main problem not the case. With caps on, the inner flap started pushing and I could feel resistance closing the lid, without caps it shut smooth. Screen protectors add a hair of thickness too, so keep the pocket light and flat and do the press test before tossing it in a backpack.

YEP, been there.

The OLED is slightly wider and a bit heavier but the overall shape is the same, so most regular cases work as long as they are not super rigid to the millimeter and... if the zipper track rides very close to the plastic edges, that is the only spot I double check because the wider body can touch there. Otherwise it should close cleanly and not bow.

For travel with lots of bumps I prefer a snug fit, and my old generic case did that with the OLED without needing a replacement... What mattered more was what I carried in the lid. A thick charger or a chunky earbud case sat over the sticks and left marks, so I keep only flat stuff and shifted the hold down strap to sit between the sticks. If you want extra peace of mind, slide in a thin foam sheet or microfiber on top so any rub is against that.

Yes a regular hard case is usually fine as long as nothing in the top pocket presses on the sticks. If you feel pressure when closing, rotate the console or move the elastic between the sticks and you are set.

I tried a few old cases from friends and the only one that felt wrong was the kind with rigid molded cutouts made to the old dimensions. Anything with a soft cradle or elastic band worked because it gives a little and the OLED nests in. Close it shake gently, listen for rattle, then press on the lid over the sticks and D pad and see if there is contact. If there is, move the strap or empty the pocket and it usually resolves it.